I'm sure you have heard the definition of a celebrity.
A celebrity is someone who is mainly famous for being famous!
At one time, people were well known and honored because they were heroic/courageous, they were good, they did worthy things that were needed, and in some cases, made sacrifices for the good of others.
The celebrity is mainly known for being entertaining.
The hero, or perhaps we should use the biblical language of saint (holy one) was such because of the substantial inner character that produced a good outward life of work and service. They were, above all, good in their inner world.
The celebrity is known for image and appearance. They are pretty people, they are attractive. (Although photoshop helps a lot! And even attractive people look pretty normal when caught off guard.)
First - why are we so endlessly and hopelessly fixated on celebrities? Why has the celebrity become the new hero for us? And what does that say about who we are?
Second - why has this secular (and pretty trite) reality moved in to the church the way it has? Perhaps not to the extent it is in the secular world, but we are pretty smitten by our own celebrity superstars. Pull your bible out and take a look at 1 Corinthians 26-31 and think about what it says.
Third - how has this subtly affected us personally. I wonder (I am only asking the question) if many of us would prefer to look good than to be good, especially if to be good requires rigorous, hard work, suffering and sacrifice. (Bob - can I see what is behind door number two?) Let's face it. We live in a world where image is everything and substance is less than it use to be.
Just some thoughts . . .
I think I'll go hit the gym for awhile and then sit outside and get some tan.
Brian Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
