Twice this week I heard stories of fame’s deadly grip. First, a friend, who has another friend in the throes of a tragic situation. The essence of the tragedy? Fame. Someone’s fame so twisting their mind and perspective that their reality is warped. And everyone around them loses.
Then tonight Jeff and I watched Walk the Line, the true life story of Johnny Cash and June Carter. It was fascinating, and there’s a scene in there I can’t wait to write about, but overall it’s just so so sad. Fame, the addiction to fame, leads to the addiction to drugs, to self, to whatever it takes to keep that flame of fame alive. And even though there’s a supposed happy ending, and Johnny and June live happily every after, there’s still a string of brokenness left behind. Of failed marriages and scarred children. Of distrust and dishonesty. It’s horrible.
It’s our world.
What’s interesting is that the turning point of the story in Walk the Line comes when Johnny begins to read the letters from prison inmates who have been so impacted by his songs. By him entering into their reality (and holding up the yellow water that they drink), he–in a sense–brings them hope.
He brings them hope by singing their song, giving voice where theirs is gone.
Only then does fame’s death-grip begin to lessen. Why? Because he’s no longer using the people to feed himself, he’s using his talent to feed the people. That is, to give them a voice, a glimmer of hope, if even for a moment.
How much more do we have to offer, those of us who carry the glorious gospel?! But we don’t have to be a rock star to be tempted by these same things. The moment we begin to use people for our own needs rather than use our energy to serve is the moment we abandon true ministry and begin the thirst for fame. We might not call it fame because none of us are aspiring to be rock stars, but it’s fame all the same any time we’re thirsting for self over thirsting for God.
This week my friend said, “Fame changes people.” And I know that she’s right. It’s pride. It’s self. It’s all the things that seduced the serpent of old, the things that enticed our first parents in the garden.
“Be like God…”
That was the lie.
That’s fame’s lie. It’s simply a desire to set ourselves up as little gods. Fame, pride, idolatry. It’s all the same and it’s all from hell.
How’s this for a nice fun Friday post? Aren’t you ready to go plant some flowers and celebrate spring?!
Yes, let’s do those things. Let’s celebrate His creation and every morning put our face to the floor and recognize the one and only Famous One,
“Yes, LORD, walking in your ways … Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” Isaiah 26:8
—
Happy Friday. Tomorrow week’s end with thanks …
Thanks for reading.
7 thoughts on “F is for Fame”
Comments are closed.
Wonderful Kari! You have such a great way of saying it like it is. Happy Friday to you too:-)
Happy Friday to you, my dear friend!
Hey Kari,
thank you for sharing your perspective on this. In my profession (theatre and music), it seems like the only PURPOSE of the very profession is to be praised and applauded, when in reality, performing arts are a SERVING profession. The applause at the end is not your praises, but the “thank you” of the audience for GIVING them some, if not almost all of yourself to entertain and to move THEM.
That is what makes it worthwhile in the end, if you can forget about yourself and serve the material you are performing in order to bring it to the people.
But I think in terms of humility you can go to the other extreme by telling yourself that you have “nothing to give” and are “not worthy enough” to live out your true talent and what you are really good at. That is just as harmful, I think, as glorifying yourself, because it sends the message that the OTHERS have as few value in who they are as you. When in reality, we all have a true gift and a passion.
I think that is what we have to be driven by- by PASSION and not by the NEEDINESS for other people´s approval.
Amen and amen, Miriam. Thanks so much for commenting and sharing this! I agree SO much, and actually I’m in the middle of a project and thinking about this very thing. We can walk in CONFIDENCE because when we are serving others through our gifts then we’re giving our all to bless them and glorify God. No need to be ashamed! I love what you’re doing; I hope someday that God will cross our paths… Where are you right now? Jeff and I are going to Europe in June. Much love, Kari
Really? Where exactly are you going to? I´d love to meet up with you ! I live in the way west of Germany, actually still studying 😀
Kari, loved this post and so many of your others also.
I subscribed to your Blog via email so don’t usually get a chance to come to your site to post comments, but tonite I just wanted to stop by to let you know I enjoy reading your Blog posts and also to say “Hi” and let you know I was so glad to have the chance to meet you at the Women’s Report Meeting.
Keep writing–you are a blessing !
Hello dear Leona! What a treat to see your name! I was just thinking about you yesterday, wondering if you’d decided what to submit as a book proposal. 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind words, I’d love to keep in touch.
Blessings on your day!