The Voice… American Idol..
. Britain’s Got Talent… And all their variations of the same…
All designed to find the next superstar, the Next Big Thing, the next Susan Boyle or One Direction.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love these shows too, just ask my wife whom I drive crazy with them! I find them interesting and I love seeing unrealised talent and gifting coming out in the open and being enjoyed by many.
But there is this ‘ready made’ attitude. Instant fame. World recognition for minimal effort.
It’s a far cry from the days of bands playing the pubs for 20 years, or hounding the doors of the recording studio to get an audition.
The fact is, in one way or another we all want to be recognised for what we do. And the other part is that we want to worship. These two things without God in the mix can be disastrous.
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” Luke 9:25
There was a quote I read this morning on the band ‘Sanctus Real’s facebook page. It was a quote by John Piper which said, “We weren’t meant to be somebody–we were meant to know Somebody.”
Needless to say, this quote attracted a lot of interest & comments both positive and negative and it could be theorised about for a long time, I’m sure. In essence, the intention was good and it rang true in my heart as someone who had spent years trying to be someone. When it would have been a lot easier had I concentrated on knowing the one who created me to be who I already was…
Our need to be recognised and accepted is often met with rejection and pain. Even after trying everything we could and giving in to the pressure of our friends/family trying to fulfil this legitimate need in us.
This is a legitimate need to try and find your meaning/purpose.
“The average person in the world today, without faith and without God and without hope, is engaged in a desperate personal search throughout his lifetime. He does not really know where he has been. He does not really know what he is doing here and now. He does not know where he is going. The sad commentary is that he is doing it all on borrowed time and borrowed money and borrowed strength – and he already knows that in the end will he surely die.” A.W. Tozer
God, let there be more than that !!! But it is the truth…
If you don’t have a reference point, you don’t know that you were created with a plan. You don’t know that there is a loving God who has a hope and a future for you as the bible declares… Then where can we turn to?
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Instant fame and recognition of our talents is very appealing for some. For others it’s enough to know that they did all they could with what they had to build a family, or hold down that job to provide for someone else.
Whatever your situation, whatever your persuasion, wherever you are in life right now… Give thought to doing what you were created for, knowing the One who created you, and finding real meaning, peace & purpose in a living relationship with your Heavenly Father through His son Jesus Christ.
You can be you. No more pretending. No more living up to someone else’s expectations… Just you.
Give it a go. With Him. Jesus.
25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?
Luke 9:25 (NIV)