Choosing Jesus Over Everything: The Journey Toward An Undivided Heart - Part One

Is there something you’ve put your faith in more than God?
Maybe you’re not entirely sure. Or maybe something inside you quietly says, “Yes.”  If so, this is for you...
Let me take you to a story you might have read before but perhaps never lingered on. It’s about King Hezekiah. He was one of the few kings of Judah who truly honored God. But it’s not Hezekiah’s life that I want to talk about today. It’s something he did. Something bold. Something courageous. And at first it seems a bit strange: He broke Moses’ bronze serpent into pieces.

Wait. What bronze serpent? And why would he do such a thing?
And what on earth does this have to do with your life right now? Stay with me. I promise it matters.

Let’s go back to Numbers 21.
The Israelites were still wandering in that seemingly never-ending wilderness. They had been on that journey for quite some time. They were tired, frustrated, and worn down. Maybe, like them, you’ve been on some long journeys of your own. Maybe you’ve seen God's provision, His protection, His preservation—and, yes, even His victories—but still found yourself feeling impatient along the way.
I know I can relate.
The Israelites wanted the journey to be over. And in that tiredness and frustration, their questions turned into complaints. They said cried out:
“Why did you bring us out of Egypt just to die out here in the wilderness?”
Have you ever felt like that? Ever wondered why God led you to a place that feels empty, exhausting, or just plain hard? Have you ever questioned God’s plan?  Have you ever asked something like…
 
"God, why did You lead me here? Why this path?"
"Why does this season feel so dry, so long?"
I know I have.
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Those are real questions. Valid questions. But for the Israelites, their “why” wasn’t about understanding anymore. It became about frustration. Complaining. Forgetting.
They couldn’t appreciate the manna.
They couldn’t remember the miracles.
They couldn’t see that the journey wasn’t just about the destination.
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So, their grumbling grew louder. And as they grumbled, the Lord sent poisonous serpents among them. Many were bitten. Some even died.
It was only after this tragedy that the people came to Moses, repenting. They asked him to intercede.
In His great mercy, God told Moses:
“Make a snake image and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover.”  (Num. 21:8)
So Moses made a bronze serpent. And just as God promised, those who looked at it in faith were healed.

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That’s why the Israelites kept the bronze serpent. That’s why they carried it into the Promised Land.  It reminded them of God’s protection. His forgiveness. His mercy. And it became a powerful symbol for Israel.
But over time, something changed.
Generations later, that very symbol became an idol.
They forgot it was God who saved.
They forgot the story.
They forgot the maker.
Instead of remembering the God who healed, the people began to worship the thing He used.  And just like with the golden calf, they began to worship the bronze serpent itself. They burned incense to it. They gave it a name. They put their trust in a piece of metal.
That’s when King Hezekiah stepped in.
He destroyed it-not just removed it-broke it into pieces. Why? Because it had to be. If left whole, it would be worshipped again.

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Here’s where it gets personal and I have to ask:
Is there something you’ve begun to trust more than God? Something that was once a blessing… but has slowly become the thing you rely on instead of Him?
Is there something you’ve elevated-even unintentionally-above Him?
Something that’s more important to you?
Something, or someone, you trust to save you, bring peace, make things better?
Sometimes the very things God gives us-gifts meant to sustain, encourage, or guide-become golden calves or bronze serpents. We begin to fix our eyes on the means instead of the Giver.
These things might even be something good. Something God gave you to provide for you, or protect you.
But the thing itself?
It was never meant to carry the weight of your worship.
So let me ask again:
What is your bronze serpent?
Maybe it’s your own strength. Your intellect. Advice from others. A relationship. Your career. Health. Medicine. Money. Ministry. Food. Exercise. Comfort. Security.
The list could go on and on. And sometimes, the very blessings God gives us can become the very things we start to put our trust in more than Him.

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Interestingly, Jesus Himself referenced the bronze serpent.
In John 3:14-15, He said:
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.”
Jesus wasn’t praising the bronze snake. He was using the image to point to something greater. He was using it to point to Himself.
The cross is a beautiful, powerful symbol. But the wood didn’t save us.
It’s what Jesus did on that cross that saves us.  Just like it wasn’t the bronze serpent that healed the Israelites, it’s not the symbols of faith, nor our rituals, or our efforts, that heal. Jesus heals.

We may not be physically wandering the wilderness outside the Promised Land—but many of us are in our own dry seasons, feeling far from God’s promises. We face fears, disappointments, confusion, and pain. The serpents of this world slither at our feet. Some only to scare us, but some strike deep.
But God didn’t leave us in a wilderness of vipers to die.
In His mercy, He gave us Jesus.



It is time to Break the Bronze. 
If there’s a “bronze serpent” in your life, something you’re clinging to, hoping in, idolizing. Don’t be afraid to break it.
Even if it started as something good, it’s not meant to take the place of God. Smash it before it grows roots. Before you start to burn incense to it, even without realizing it.
Let’s remember, again and again:

• It is not our strength or self-discipline that saves.
  
  
  
• It is not our plans or routines that provide peace.
  
  
  
• It is not even our faith-filled symbols that bring life.
  
  
  

It is Jesus. Only Jesus.
So today, let’s ask ourselves honestly:
What have I placed my trust in more than God?
And if there’s anything in our lives that’s starting to take His place-even something that started as a blessing-may we have the courage to break it into pieces.
Before it breaks our focus.
Before it steals our worship.
Before it becomes our bronze serpent.
So that we don’t worship the method instead of the Maker.
May we always remember:
Remember why we’re on this journey.
Remember who carried us this far. 
Remember that it’s not our strength that carries us, our plans that heal us, or our symbols that save us.
It is, and has always been, Jesus.


Blessings,
Elizabeth


Lord, help me to see anything I’ve placed above You.
Help me to recognize when I’ve started to trust in something other than You--
even if it’s something You once gave me.
Teach me to remember.
To put my faith fully in You.
To worship only You.
And to break anything that’s taken Your place.
Amen.

Prefer to listen to the podcast? You can listen to the Blue Jean Gypsy Podcast here:​

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 Your heart was made to be wholly His.  Don’t miss Part Two where we go deeper into how to actually tear down those hidden idols and walk in freedom. 

The Undivided Heart Part 2