Fame Game

Wake Up Call

Last night my daughter attended a Yankees game in New York City. She called to tell me about the three famous people who were also there. She knew because the ballpark projected them up on the big screen from their seats while everyone cheered and waved. One of the celebrities responded back to the crowd but the others just continued watching the game and ignoring the ruckus.

I commented to Jessica that I’ve always suspected that fame is probably more a curse than a blessing. Imagine not being able to relax at a ballgame without having to be “on.” Imagine people idolizing you who don’t even know you.

Would you want to be famous? Jesus is certainly the most famous figure in history yet he didn’t hold much stock in it. Once in Jerusalem during Passover the crowds were “projecting him up on the big screen” so to speak. Everyone was buzzing about all his miracles and only believing in him because of them.

“But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men…for He Himself knew what was in man.” (John 2:24) The translation to that is that Jesus wasn’t into the “fame game.” He knew the crowds are fickle and that it is really only important to be famous with God.

That’s worth remembering even if we never actually become a star. Most of us will go in and out of favor with the “crowds” many times over our lifetime. What a shame if we forget our real priority and succumb to the fame game.

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