Vladimir Lenin, the famous leader of the Bolsheviks, is considered by many Russians to be a hero. Today, his body remains one of their national treasures. And ever since 1924, when Lenin’s body was placed in Moscow’s Red Square, Lenin has been on display in an open mausoleum.
The Russian Biomedical Technology Research and Training Centre is the organization tasked with preserving Lenin in “lifelike condition.” But Lenin is, most definitely, not alive. Lenin is never coming back to life in this world. And keeping a body in “lifelike condition” for that long is very expensive!
In fact, the Russian government recently revealed that it is spending about 13 million rubles ($200,000) this year just to keep Vladimir Lenin’s body preserved. And people are questioning whether it makes sense. In fact, a recent poll showed that over 62% of Russians favor giving Lenin a “proper, final burial.”
Sometimes we cling to things far too long. In the Bible, we are told of a bronze snake that was crafted in the days of Moses as a way to save those who were dying (Numbers 21). It was raised up, and those who looked at it were saved, while those who refused perished. It served a purpose.
But hundreds of years later, the people had clung to this artifact for too long. When we cling to things of this world for too long, we often idolize them. This is what happened to Israel. They named the serpent, Nehushtan, and they worshiped it (2 Kings 18:4). It took a brave leader, Hezekiah, to destroy this idol and turn people back to God.
We all have Lenins and Nehushtans in our spiritual lives – idols that need to have a “proper, final burial.” What about you, friend? Is there anything you have clung to for too long? Are there idols in your life? If you say, “I could never let go of __________,” perhaps some “spring cleaning” is in order.
Remember: things of this world are not made to last. Spend time focusing on God’s ways and His Kingdom. Preserve what truly matters…and bury the idols.
