Didn't you used to have talent to become famous around here? When did people start becoming famous without doing anything? Or, become famous and cash in for the most meaningless of things? And, still remain famous.
Also, why all this obsession with celebrities? What they're wearing, who they are dating, and where they are hanging out? How many selfies did they take today? How does knowing all these intimate details affect your life? Take your time, I will wait.
We live in a society consumed with celebrity. Two different ways. We place emphasis on a celebrity's opinions on matters and follow what they do and say. Then, sometimes, we get upset with a celebrity's opinions on something like we expect them to be an expert. When, really, their opinion is no more or less valid than our own on any subject.
The other way is our desire to become famous for any reason so as to feel important. Using social media, we might feel the need to share every minor detail in our lives. Sharing every opinion, every thought, and every picture seems to scream that you are trying too hard. There is a need to feel like we matter and our opinions too. I understand that too. We want to be loved and respected by others. There's nothing wrong with that, it does make life easier. But, is that what we are really called to in this life?
I think that the reason for a lot of divisiveness in our culture is this belief that our worldview matters most. If someone disagrees, it is like an act of war. We are right and everyone else who differs is wrong. We don't understand why everyone doesn't love us or treat our wisdom as pure gospel to be followed.
I run into this problem posting my blog. What is my goal here? To impart wisdom upon the masses? To have millions read my blog weekly leading to book deals? That's all well and good if that happens. But, that's not the audience I am seeking. It could happen to me and flow in that direction, but only truly if my focus is in one place.
My focus has to be and needs to be an audience of one. That audience is God. What is His opinion? What are His thoughts on the matter? Is He cool with what I am doing? Am I listening to Him? What does He have to say to me? Impressing God to make Him love me more or get a better spot in heaven is not the focus here. We cant make Him love us more or get to heaven any easier with our actions.
But, what does the adulation of millions really mean for our eternal lives? How does what a famous person wear or who they date matter in the big picture? Yes, lots of people (including famous ones) can speak truth into our lives. But, celebrity worship and wanting to be like the celebrity, or making that person's opinion matter more than others - how is that life affirming? At the end of the day, what does truly matter?
I get it. People want to feel important. They want to matter in this world. If I cant be popular and famous, I can leave vicariously through this celebrity. Think of the people who really matter to you or had the greatest impact on your life. Maybe it's family, or a pastor, or a teacher. It could have been a kind word while going through a terrible time. We are important to each other in various ways and it's not because of fame and fortune (though it can help). It's how we serve each other. How we are there for each other. That's what makes an impact.
You matter because God says you do. He loved you enough to send His Son to die on a cross for you. To be the payment for our sins and the cost we deserved. He still works in our lives today because He loves us (not everything we may do, however). This is the audience we serve.
I have noticed that when the focus is on God, a lot of other good stuff flows downward. This isn't saying nothing bad will happen because we follow Him or that we wont experience tragedy. Life isn't perfect, because of sin and a fallen world. But, there tends to be more peace in one's life. Our attention is focused on the eternal and the things that truly matter. That's true fame.
They say fame is fleeting. That's true. Anything worldly does fade eventually. Fame is fleeting. God is forever.
Also, why all this obsession with celebrities? What they're wearing, who they are dating, and where they are hanging out? How many selfies did they take today? How does knowing all these intimate details affect your life? Take your time, I will wait.
We live in a society consumed with celebrity. Two different ways. We place emphasis on a celebrity's opinions on matters and follow what they do and say. Then, sometimes, we get upset with a celebrity's opinions on something like we expect them to be an expert. When, really, their opinion is no more or less valid than our own on any subject.
The other way is our desire to become famous for any reason so as to feel important. Using social media, we might feel the need to share every minor detail in our lives. Sharing every opinion, every thought, and every picture seems to scream that you are trying too hard. There is a need to feel like we matter and our opinions too. I understand that too. We want to be loved and respected by others. There's nothing wrong with that, it does make life easier. But, is that what we are really called to in this life?
I think that the reason for a lot of divisiveness in our culture is this belief that our worldview matters most. If someone disagrees, it is like an act of war. We are right and everyone else who differs is wrong. We don't understand why everyone doesn't love us or treat our wisdom as pure gospel to be followed.
I run into this problem posting my blog. What is my goal here? To impart wisdom upon the masses? To have millions read my blog weekly leading to book deals? That's all well and good if that happens. But, that's not the audience I am seeking. It could happen to me and flow in that direction, but only truly if my focus is in one place.
My focus has to be and needs to be an audience of one. That audience is God. What is His opinion? What are His thoughts on the matter? Is He cool with what I am doing? Am I listening to Him? What does He have to say to me? Impressing God to make Him love me more or get a better spot in heaven is not the focus here. We cant make Him love us more or get to heaven any easier with our actions.
But, what does the adulation of millions really mean for our eternal lives? How does what a famous person wear or who they date matter in the big picture? Yes, lots of people (including famous ones) can speak truth into our lives. But, celebrity worship and wanting to be like the celebrity, or making that person's opinion matter more than others - how is that life affirming? At the end of the day, what does truly matter?
I get it. People want to feel important. They want to matter in this world. If I cant be popular and famous, I can leave vicariously through this celebrity. Think of the people who really matter to you or had the greatest impact on your life. Maybe it's family, or a pastor, or a teacher. It could have been a kind word while going through a terrible time. We are important to each other in various ways and it's not because of fame and fortune (though it can help). It's how we serve each other. How we are there for each other. That's what makes an impact.
You matter because God says you do. He loved you enough to send His Son to die on a cross for you. To be the payment for our sins and the cost we deserved. He still works in our lives today because He loves us (not everything we may do, however). This is the audience we serve.
I have noticed that when the focus is on God, a lot of other good stuff flows downward. This isn't saying nothing bad will happen because we follow Him or that we wont experience tragedy. Life isn't perfect, because of sin and a fallen world. But, there tends to be more peace in one's life. Our attention is focused on the eternal and the things that truly matter. That's true fame.
They say fame is fleeting. That's true. Anything worldly does fade eventually. Fame is fleeting. God is forever.
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