I've been told that I should go big in stardom, become an "American Idol," sing with all my heart and soul for life. And I love being a thespian, making the stage to perform my skills of entertaining the crowd and enjoying what I do at the same time. Those are just a couple skills that God's blessed me with, and there's other things that I give Him immense credit for that over exceed the "lifestyles of the rich and famous." Which brings me to my rant of the day...
One of the biggest things that really irks me about the celebrity world is their singing, acting, dressing, scandals, beliefs, controversies, seductions, and any other behaviorisms get them front-page exclusivity to their fanatic masses...BUT, these "idols" give praise to God that their lives are blessed because of "all the great things that happen to me." They do this when it's getting an album made, a music video produced, a movie hitting the box offices, all their work put into thanking Him for "all of their own efforts."
The claim to their "religion" is just in belief alone, so that they can attract followers into thinking, "they really are spiritual people, so they MUST be a great influence to me, right?" They sing about what sounds good to them, they act however they want to, knowing FULL WELL that there are people all over the world who worship the ground they walk on.
The problem I have with them is, are they really giving thanks? Are they really living how they claim to be SO blessed, yet hypocritically behave in ways that shame themselves and us for liking them? Who's really gaining the benefit to the "godly" relationship? I don't believe it's either, because God isn't given praise for everything, just only the good stuff that happens with them. And they, in turn, don't honor Him exclusively, just expect that anything that they do is fine since everyone else enjoys it, and it will eventually bless themselves, their families, their fans, their false thinking that merely mentioning the term "God" will give them a seat in Heaven and His approval. Because all of us have a place in Heaven right?
I like this quote from SNL's Church Lady (Dana Carvey) on Church Chat who speaks to Sean Penn about his wife at the time, Madonna. And it's because it describes well how stars reflect poorly to their name, and in this case, quite literally: "Oh...Madonna. So she's named after the mother of our Lord. But she doesn't quite live up to the same standards, does she? One gave birth to the Savior of all mankind, and the other prances around in a black teddy to the delight of pre-teen onlookers."
I have been giving up on trying to understand why they continue to do this, because their actions speak of anything BUT spiritual, and belief in God alone DOES NOT guarantee your salvation. I've looked at a few verses that emphasizes my point to their faux pas thinking.
Luke 6:46-49: "Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Isaiah 29:13: "And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth
and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men..."
Matthew 7:12-14, 21-23: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few...Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Do you know what the sad part about it is? They are without a clue about how to figure out religion or the meaning of it all. Yet they don't seek answers with it, but post, tweet, protest, perform that their lives are all about the self: being self-righteous, loving thyself, self-worshipping, self-beautifying, self-praising.
So, when I see how people think I should be a part of this secular realm, I ponder at two aspects: I would never want to be a part of the ridiculous drama that ensnares so many, or want to be involved with the daily ebb and flow of my life to be twisted and plastered everywhere, or want to degrade myself for people to feel ashamed of me, or praise me thinking that's how my true character.
But then I contemplate the good that I could do to the world, showing them that you don't have to falsify yourself in order for people to love you. That your inner beauty is really what's everlasting, no matter how many fitness trainers you have to make you the "________iest man/woman" this week. That your body language supports EVERYTHING about your true intentions despite what you megaphone to the public.
I believe we need better influences and role models that should reflect within ourselves, but we can't expect it will happen on its own or someone else should do it. It has to start with you. Be the example. Be the role model. Be the opportunity. Be the chance. Be the change. Even if it means just praying for them to find their faith differently than before, or for them to change their ways to reflect you better. Even if it means that sending a letter to them could possibly bury that tiny piece of love further into their hearts to do it.
One story from LTL Convention captured me, and I'll conclude with its impactful meaning: This is a story about four people name Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done, and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. My inquiry is: What are you?
