Longing for Fame

As I was driving Asherel and her friend Josh to Gavel Club, I asked Josh what Asherel should wear for her Monday TV appearance. He thought briefly, and I hoped he would help talk her into wearing a dress. Asherel hates getting dressed up, but I don't think jeans and a Beatles T-shirt is appropriate for one's 15 minutes of fame on television. Please tell her to wear a dress, I prayed silently.
"Nail polish!" declared Josh.

I had had to use all my powers of persuasion to talk Asherel into agreeing to the TV gig. She had just won the Parent Art Magazine Grand Prize. Her colorful, quirky, bizarre collection of objects beautifully rendered in colored pencil had won Best in Show, and now the editor was to be interviewed about the contest on WBT News at noon Monday. She asked Asherel to be on the set with her. Since we have reaped the benefits over the years of Parent Magazine sponsoring this wonderful art contest, I felt we should support them in promoting what they do. Asherel loves entering, and loves doing well, but she hates the thought of being on display. This is a beautiful, admirable quality, and I hope this humility follows her throughout her life, but in this case, the organization that had so graciously awarded her their top prize was asking her for something in return. We finally agreed that it was the right thing to do to go on the TV show, and if possible, even enjoy the experience. She will only be on for three minutes and it is likely they will only ask her one or two questions.

Josh was prescient in his anticipation of what the question would be- "What's your inspiration? I bet that is what they will ask. Ok, here is what you say...."
No one but Josh could have come up with the answer he gave, but it made Asherel laugh and I suspect she is feeling less nervous about this venture now.

In contrast, I was thinking about the Facebook phenomenon. I think the allure of Facebook is in part a desire for recognition, to be noticed.
"At the grocery store!" proclaims one post.
Another lists her accomplishments of the day which include reading 5 novels to ten children, baking a pie, making an original dinner for her family of 12 and 6 disadvantaged neighbors, and cleaning the bathroom, all in time for a midday nap.
Facebook has become a roomful of strangers that are all instantaneously our closest friends, all existing for the joy of reading what we have done. All of them are willing ears to every thought we desire to hoist upon them, and we all live for them to push the little "like" button that assures us we have been noticed, and even revered. (yeh yeh yeh...not unlike blog writers, I know, I know....)

What is it that makes most of us so desperately want others to think highly of us? To give us our due? To applaud our achievements? Here is what I think, and it could just be the musing of a messed up mind. I think we all desire applause because we don't really believe we are worthy of it. Not deep inside. Deep inside I think we shudder when we face what we are, and most of us long for the constant affirmation that we are ok. Despite what we know to be true about ourselves, is it possible to be loved?

I have heard many times that the Bible and faith in Jesus is for losers, for weak people who can't make it on their own, so they turn to a crutch. I think that is also true. I think it *is* for people who believe they are weak; they *can't* make it on their own, and were never meant to. We are described as "sheep" in the Bible. I always misunderstood that symbol before coming to faith. I thought of it as mindless robots being led by a greater power because we had no brain, like a stupid sheep. But I think a more accurate understanding is that sheep were never meant to carry burdens, and sheep will follow and trust a Shepherd because they recognize the need. Like sheep in a world of wolves, we can't survive on our own. And all those worries about whether we are loved, cared for, protected, and even worthy of that protection are burdens we were never meant to carry...not in the presence of our Shepherd.

Most of us won't get the opportunity to go on television, to remind the world that we have done something worth the accolades of others. But every one of us is on the screen constantly of the most important Producer of all. I have no doubt that He is willing to give us as many takes as the scene requires if in the end, we are performing only for Him.

"Nail polish?" laughed Asherel, "Anything else?"
"Well yes," said Josh, "Lipstick...sparkly lipstick! And a dress...you should wear a dress."
Asherel groaned and sank low in her seat.

2 Corinthians 10:18
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

James 2:5
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

1 John 4:10
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.


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