Pursuing Christ In A Celebrity Driven World
Celebrities. We see them everyday and sometimes we become so attached to them that we have to know their every move. I know that I have fallen victim to becoming completely obsessed with a few celebrities, and am still somewhat obsessed with knowing about their lives. But one day as I googled a celebrity, wanting to know all of these random facts, I began to wonder.
What if we took the same curiosity of wanting to know everything about celebrities and focused that attention on Christ?
Sometimes we become so consumed over seeing how "great" the lives are of people in the music, film, and photography industries. We get so caught up in the drama of these people's lives and wishing for things they have. We fall victim to filling our minds with how the "better half" lives, and we begin to criticize our own lives.
We put ourselves down by wishing and wanting other people’s lives instead of appreciating what we are given by God. Why don’t we use the time we spend watching E! News and reading the tabloids for something better?
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. -1 Timothy 6:11
Watching celebrities live their lives does not benefit us. So, why not replace that time with reading scripture, quiet time with God, and living out our own lives?
Quite honestly, my first reaction was, “That does not sound fun.” But then I decided I would try it out. That evening, instead of watching E! News, I opened up my Bible to a random page and devoured God’s word. I truly lost all sense of time. I was so revitalized by reading God’s word, and I felt that my soul was instantly recharged. It was glorious!
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. -Colossians 3:2
After that I decided some changes needed to be made. I stopped watching shows that were about gossip, crime, and sexual themes. I also stopped reading the tabloids and stopped following worldly celebrities on social media.
Next, I began following more devotional accounts on social media. While it was a small adjustment to follow devotional accounts, it truly helped strengthen my relationship with God. I was no longer influenced by the negativity of this world... My view on life has changed tremendously! For example, I desire to know more about how Jesus dealt with life’s issues, how He treated people who did Him wrong, and His love for us. When you change what you allow yourself to see, your heart, thoughts, and actions begin to change.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things. -Philippians 4:8
Knowing Christ is what fuels our souls. Let us not waste time on trying to know everything about a celebrity that has no idea we exist, and instead turn our attention to the only One that died for the chance of a relationship with us. Let us fuel our souls with the loving words of the one who created us and flee from the things that take us away from Him.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. -Romans 8:5
For what we put in through our eyes and ears, is what we are on the inside. "The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, you whole body is also full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness" (Luke 11:34-36).
What are you putting before your eyes today?
How is that impacting your daily life and the light you are meant to shine in this world?
