Growth

Celebrating Celebrity

I recently had the opportunity to go to a great concert. (You can ask Holly it was fabulous.) Going to musical performances in big venues is not a regular occurrence for me, mostly because Im so often disappointed by the quality of the music as compared to the processed sensation that Ive grown accustomed to on the radio. (This is, of course, never the case with Critical). Despite my normal aversion to such events, there was no denying it this show rocked.

Yet, as I stood watching the show, I was unable to completely revel in the experience. I was distracted by the spectacle that was playing out before me. One of the performers had just finished their first number during which it seemed like every one of the thousands of people in the crowd were singing along, and the singer stood there glowing in the adulation and applause. The response of the crowd was insufficient for the performer and the fans were encouraged to cheer even louder for the pleasure of the artist.

Now, I realize this scene probably occurs several times a day. Usually, the talent of the artist is not so worthy of applause as this performer most assuredly was. And yet, he wasn’t either. For just like all of us, this man was a mere mortal. A mere mortal who had been blessed with an incredible gift of performance, but still that talent came from God. And yet, thousands stood, exalting this man for being able to belt out a rousing tune and for making each person in the crowd feel like he was singing to them. He had done nothing but entertain and yet he was receiving more praise than teachers, pastors, nurses, doctors, military personnel or others whose impact is far more significant ever will.

And that’s when it struck me. Our culture of celebrity is really pure silliness. I mean, what had this performer done that was rightly worthy of so much admiration. The show was great but it was after all a show a parody of life through musical rendition. People would leave and talk about the great performance (I know I did) but is anyones life really changed through the time spent there?

One of the things that often takes people by surprise when they meet me is that I am a celebrity gossip hound. Peoples perception of me as a studious, industrious individual does not mix with this proclivity, and yet there it is. (You can only imagine my delight when I got a job where Im supposed to know what celebrities are wearing and accessorizing. It was ashamedly delightful). While I had often heard others deride this pastime, I cant say that I really saw what the problem was, but it was painfully clear to me at the show. The problem is that our culture of celebrating celebrity gives praise to people for things that aren’t all that significant. Not only that, it exalts people to a level of worship that should only be reserved for God. And it is this competition that is destructive.

Nicole Richie once said (and I loosely quote), America is the only country where you can be famous, just for being famous. And shes right. But fame is fleeting, grace is forever, and its the latter that deserves our attention, not the previous.

P.S. – For the record, I do realize how strange I am that I am a concert that loads of people would love to be at and I’m thinking of my next blog. I’m weird. What can I say? 😉

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Growth Relationships

Becoming familiar

“Everything’s wonderful until it becomes familiar”. Charles H. Spurgeon

The above quotation (Bec – notice the use of the word quotation instead of quote) is taken from a sermon by famous London preacher Charles Spurgeon*. Mentioning it as an aside, it has little to do with the main topic of the sermon which was, I believe either about our ability to trust in God’s knowledge of what is to come or encouragement to keep a steady course in the midst of trial. Either way, the quotation (there’s that word again) struck me and caused me to ponder long after the sermon ended.

I’ve long been of the belief that humanity is at its essence ungrateful. Probably the starkest example of this is modern-day America. The things that we consider commonplace – running water, three meals a day, soda to name a few – are extreme luxuries in significant parts of the world. I’m reminded of this every time I talk to my friend Juli, who, as a missionary in Kenya is faced everyday with the issues of life and death. What happened on American Idol last night is of little concerned to her or the many AIDS patients to whom she attends.

While the disparity between Americas riches and the rest of the world’s poverty is not new, what’s noteworthy to me is that despite this richness we often still long for more. Very few of us are content with the things that we have and the incessant desire to acquire is pronounced within us. While Americans may have the fewest reasons for these desires, I don’t believe the ailment is confined to us. All over the world people long for more than what they have, even if what they have is more than enough.

Which brings me to my point (About time! – some of you might say). No matter how wonderful something is at its nascent, oftentimes we lose the sense of awe as time passes. I think this is the cause of so many failed marriages. It’s not that the person isn’t as wonderful as they first were, it’s that their magnificence is less appreciated by the other. And when appreciation dies, love is often the second victim. That is why a heartfelt e-mail, a special gift, or an act of service can lose its appeal. After it becomes familiar, maybe even expected, our appreciation for it often dwindles, and we begin looking for something to replace it.

While this may be detrimental in our human relationships, its perilous in our relationship with God. As the one Person who is always with us, Christ is the most susceptible to seeming commonplace. Especially for those of us who have been Christians since youth, the marvel of our salvation may lose its awesomeness in the consistent retelling of the story. And unlike an angry spouse, Christ will not vie for our attention or our gratitude. Instead, in subtle ways through the wonder of His creation, the laughter of a baby, or the spark of human kindness, He beckons us to recognize His unprecedented goodness. If we refuse to hear His call, He will not convey angry invectives of the injustice. Instead, like the Father of the Prodigal Son, He will wait for us to recognize the goodness that He provides and return home.

Because the goodness of the Father is the essence of Who He is (after all God literally is love), it has a tendency to become familiar. But in its familiarity, let us not forget, it is anything but commonplace.

*I apologize for the lack of a direct reference. I need to get better about scribbling the source down when something captures my attention. After all, I want to be a responsible little blogger.

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