Its Not About Me (Thank God!): Reflections on Music, Sports and Other Types of Fame.

We’ve been living in an age when famous people often thank God as they receive an award or some such thing and then continue to go off on a narcissistic rant or lead a train wreck lifestyle. They may say the Name of Jesus Christ but all too often live completely indifferent to His teachings and commands. To be fair, lots of not famous people do this too.

To purposely misquote Kanye West, the real question should be, “Do I walk with Jesus?”

So in an age like this its refreshing to hear Grammy award winner, Mandisa, explain why she didn’t attend the Grammys.  

“I can’t tell you how little I enjoy people scrutinizing what I am wearing and how I look. I’ve been on the receiving end of such mean comments coming from the other side of the anonymity the world-wide web provides. I can usually handle it, but recent events have left me feeling insecure about such things these days … I wish I could tell you it doesn’t hurt my feelings. Honestly, it does. I’m still learning to believe the truth about me….

(Also) …both times I have gone to the Grammys I have witnessed performances I wish I could erase from my memory, and yes, I fast forwarded through several performances this year; but my reason is not because of them, it’s because of me.  I have been struggling with being in the world, not of it lately. I have fallen prey to the alluring pull of flesh, pride, and selfish desires quite a bit recently.

“Don’t fall in love with this corrupt world or worship the things it can offer. Those who love its corrupt ways don’t have the Father’s love living within them. All the things the world can offer to you—the allure of pleasure, the passion to have things, and the pompous sense of superiority—do not come from the Father…” 1 John 2:15-16a (The Voice)

I knew that submerging myself into an environment that celebrates those things was risky for me at this time. I am taking steps to renew my mind to become the Heavenly Father-centered, completely satisfied with Jesus, and Holy Spirit-led woman I felt I was a few months ago, but I’m feeling a bit like an infant learning to walk again on shaky legs. Perhaps being alone with Him as my name was announced was protecting myself from where my flesh would have tried to drag me had I been up on that stage.”

I think I would like to attain to her example. I think I need to.

In an age like this I was skeptical when a pastor from Seattle all of a sudden became a mentor to Justin Bieber. Was he just trying to sneak into the limelight?  Then I found out the real story. Justin’s mother, Pattie Mallette ( a committed Christian) made a personal phone call to Pastor Judah Smith 3 years ago. In this article from the Christian Post, Smith explains:

"His mom called me....and he was having a concert in Everett (Washington)," Smith shared on Fox and Friends in February of this year. "Lo and behold he had heard me preach when he was younger in Toronto. I guess I used to put him to sleep. His mom said she'd play my tapes and he'd fall asleep."

You may still scoff and ask why Bieber is still living such a disastrous lifestyle. As a former youth pastor (well, youth leader anyways), I can tell you we often, agonizingly, watch while the young people in our charge make bad decision after bad decision.

But God is a God of patience and grace and unconditional love and I imagine that Pastor Judah is seeking to emulate those characteristics with Justin.

In an age like this its refreshing to hear athletes like recently crowned Super Bowl champions Russell Wilson and Kam Chancellor genuinely give the glory to God. Not just lip service but hands-and-feet service. They walk the walk even when the spotlight is off them. Although far from perfect , they are authentic and sincere – they are real.  Dr. Karl Payne, chaplain to the Seattle Seahawks for 20 years sums it up nicely:

“They understand the eternal perspective has to trump things of time. Three-point-four is an average NFL career.  The walk with Christ is going to last a lot longer than the other. When the tinsel and confetti are done its just me and Jesus. The price of your soul was the death of the Lord Jesus. if the price is the same then the value is the same. They’re locked on that. They understand that in the context of winning and losing. I am valuable because I belong to Christ. End of story.”

So what is really refreshing in an age like this – and in any age of history – is to see folks ( me and you included) realize that its quite simply not about music or sports or fame or power or money. We realize, in fact, that it is not about “me” at all. It is so joyously liberating to realize that, contrary to all that the world heaves on us spiritually, mentally and emotionally, our salvation  and our value and worth do not come from within but from above.

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whomfn the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14