I have to ask….Why?
As a father of two teenage daughters I frequently hear their friends and them state somthing akin to “I just want to do something to be famous..” I cringe every time I hear it because they envision a life of glitz, glamour, and glory….I see a life of discontent, decadence, and diversions.
Jesus was arguably the most famous person to live; almost 2000 years later his name is known throughout the world. We celebrate holidays dedicated to his life and death (and ressurection). Fame itself is not the problem, it’s how we get there lately that’s wrong.
Too many young people are striving for fame for fame’s sake alone. Fame for fame’s sake guaruntees one to never be content with enough fame. I’m convinced the famous will not be through seeking until they pass that one in front of them with more album sales, more money per movie, the most awards, wins….
Fame by the worlds standards, especially by United States standards is rooted in decadence. We have young ladies famous only for the devience they gained attention for. They’ve reached a goal, but at what cost? With the exception of very few who obtained fame through a narrow business or humanitarian niche the cost to the individual and our culture is just too high.
Oh, you want to be famous in order to influence others to Christ? Consider how many have walked down that narrow path only to be diverted down a much wider way, swallowed quickly by the masses. Besides, seeking fame in this way is contrary Christ’s teachings on the first being last on earth and the last being first for eternity.
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. Matthew 19:28-30 (NIV)
If you insist on fame may I suggest a different path? .
Define God’s purpose for your life and make the pusuit of that purpose your life’s passion. Never let a cent of potential go unspent You will find later in life that you will have achieved a position far greater than fame: contentment, purity, and a laser focus on glorifying God. You might even gain some level of recognition that might be defined as fame by some. When that happens you will know what to do with it….influence as many as you can to seek Christ and surrender their lives to a higher purpose.
Shalom
After finishing this post I read the following in the American Way Magazine article quoting America Ferrera:
“My hunger has never been to be famous or well known or to win awards. I’ve never been interested in whatever the industry-prescribed definitions of success might be…And it’s probably a good thing because I’m not the archetype of the Hollywood starlet. I’m Latino, and even now there’s not a huge range of roles for Latino actors. I’m not stick-thin. There’s probably a long list of roles I’m ‘wrong’ for because of who I am, but that rarely crosses my mind, because I’m always focused on creating a reality that will allow me to work hard.” (32)
Rentilly J. “America the Beautiful.” American Way March 1, 2010. p29-33