John 5:44
How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that come from the only God?
The show, "American Idol", is aptly named. Thousands of would-be pop stars, longing for the glory and status of the stage, flood auditions all over the country, each one hoping that he or she will be the one crowned with that coveted title. The show has been wildly successful, drawing millions of viewers every time it's aired. And, yes, I admit it, I do enjoy watching it on occasion, especially when I need to rest my mind after a busy day. The issue for me, however, is not so much the concept of the show, but how it embodies the culture of so many Americans today who place celebrities in all genres, from singers to actors to athletes, on pedestals. The have become "Idol" worshipers.
The tabloids' screaming headlines in the grocery check-out lanes, the star-studded, glossy-paged People and Us magazines, and the popularity of shows like Entertainment Tonight, all are stark indications of the obsession so many have with celebrities. While there is nothing wrong with having a favorite actress or football player, something is terribly awry when those persons become the objects on glorifies and, dare I say it, deifies above all else. On the receiving end, the celebrities bask in their fame and the attention given them by their fans, accepting their homage and adoration for all it's worth. This is nothing less than tragic, nothing more than foolishness, and Satan's having one Hell of a good time!
Let us remember today the first of the Ten Commandments: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me." Let us pray, too, that those consumed by "Idol" worship will at long last see it for what it truly is: IDLE!
Readings
Psalms 118 or 145
2 Samuel 17:1-23
Galatians 3:6-14
John 5:30-47
We can make so many things in our lives idols and place them before God. Anything that takes up more of our time and devotion is a threat to our devotional life and dishonors God..whether it be television, our own hobbies and pursuits. The most effective way I've found in trying to avoid this is keeping God in everything. Keeping Him in my mind and heart even when I am doing something other than praying or reading Scripture. For all of life can be an expression of prayer and devotion towards HIm. It's when we skip out and forget Him entirely and endulge in our own desires, leaving Him out of the picture, when it becomes a sin.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Made me think about my priorities.
Martha, amen. The young man who won American Idol this year, Scotty, lives not too far from us. The only time we watched him on the show, however, was on the final night when he won – and didn’t fail to give God the glory.
ReplyDeleteThat said, our culture is one of idols. I think often about our nation’s decline into worship of status, money, fame, fortune, prestige… anything but God. As you said yesterday, a revival wouldn’t hurt :)
But it has to begin in the individual’s heart, with allegiance to God above all else. I also concur with Jessica’s thoughts above: anything that distracts us from Him can become an idol.
Yes, ladies, it is not just the worship of the celebrity, but anything we place on the pedestal reserved for God alone. I, too, try to place Him before me in all I do.
ReplyDeleteNeat news about Scotty! He was my favorite from the beginning and I was most gratified that his deep faith kept him focused all the way to the end. What an inspiration and a breath of fresh air in the entertainment world.
Thank you for so faithfully stopping by and offering encouragement and such thought-provoking commentary. You are blessings!!!