Thursday, March 5, 2009

A Celebrity

Leviticus 26:1
I just saw in the news that Michael Jackson is touring in England for the last time. Of course fans waited for hours just to hear the short announcement of the tour by him and naturally some were even going hysterical just to see him. Now I have to admit I was a fan back in the days of Thriller and probably still have a copy of the album somewhere. But, I'll also admit there isn't any celebrity that I'd go nuts to see. They're people just like all of us. What I see in this is that people are made to worship something. God is the right target of our worship, but for those not in a relationship with him, their worship goes somewhere else, be it towards celebrities, wealth, power, cars, etc... The major problem is all of these things will come to an end just like Jackson's music career, and then what will you have? We must direct our worship towards God and him alone, seeking him with all that we are. He is the only one that will remain when all else fails. That's why He said, " 'Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 26:1 NIV)" In light of this I find it unfortunate that we've named a TV talent search, "American Idol." While I'm fine with looking for talented individuals and helping them realize their dreams, we're promoting this idea that the folks on stage have some kind of special power worthy of our praise. While it's true most people probably don't think about it this way it, we should see it as a warning that our country as a whole treads the dangerous territory of creating idols for ourselves. Worshiping and giving glory to God is the only thing that will also lift us up and empower us and give us a reason to keep going strong each day. Nothing else will satisfy our desire to worship better than praising the One who we were meant to bow to, the One who programmed us with the longing to worship. It would be great to see folks getting as hysterical at worshiping the Lord as they do over human beings or stuff. Pray that you and your house will serve and bow to the Lord and him alone.

Today's music video by TobyMac is a repeat from a previous devotion but it is worth repeating: Lose My Soul.

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