What Makes us Idol Worshippers?

     We have long enjoyed the show American Idol, seeing the amazing musical talent of so many young people.  This year is no exception, but this year’s show is different.  We have all heard hard-luck stories in past seasons where contestants have overcome behemoths of their own, but this year’s show seems to wave tribulation like a banner.  Maybe it is the new element in the show’s revival that producers want to highlight the story behind the performer.  Even among the artists that I love are human-interest stories that speak of overcoming (Laura Story, Matthew West, Hillary Scott, and Jason Weaver).  This year there was a young lady who was diagnosed with hydrocephalus resulting from a brain tumor who lost her eyesight.  Another young man was battling addictions and credited the pursuit of music with his sobriety.  Yet another contestant was significantly overweight and lost his self-confidence until shedding 170 pounds and returned to pursue his music.  All these contestants have now unfortunately been eliminated.  We want to cheer them on.

     It is easy to say that some suffering is just part of life; whereas other suffering is a consequence of poor choice.  That leads me to the story of a highly-talented young man who chose to share his same-sex attraction at his American Idol audition.  He said that he had often denied his true nature.  Rather than hold a private conversation back home with his family, he decided to bring his story out on television.  Does this speak of courage or a lack of courage?  One thing he probably believed, 'once my story is out in the open there is no turning back,' which is not true.  It was a form of confession (not repentance, that's different).  All humankind share in this young man's story; before coming out, he felt like he was denying his true nature.  We all deny our true nature too; we are all sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God.    

     I cannot deny this young man’s immense talent which I would credit to God.  We are created creatures whom God imparts talent, some more so than others.  The talent this young man has pursued allows him to compete with the very top musicians.  But what lays heavy on my heart is the advice that this young man is receiving that supports his confession.  He is now surrounded with approvers.  It is a hedonistic mindset that tells us that we are entitled to our pleasures.  He talks about losing favor with his parents; his Dad is a minister.  One of the talent judges shared this same identity with him as she told about the controversy with her own parents when she sang a song about kissing a girl and liking it.  Pain is not hidden on this young man's face when he talks about the falling-out-of-favor with his family.  There is nothing wrong with sharing an experience and having empathy for another.  However, what has happened as a result of this story is this young man is now more defined by his self-interest than by the faith he might be contradicting.  This hinders his ability to bring glory to God.    

     I am also troubled by the persecuted position his parents find themselves in.  Persecution is not new for a Christian, we are even told to expect it.  I am almost certain that we will not hear the backstory that tells us that his parents are more like to hate their son's confession (without repentance) than to ever un-love their son.  Christians aren’t often given the grace of understanding that it is possible and required to separate the two (sin from sinner).  Unfortunately, we live in a world that believes love and approval are the same thing.  My guess is that his parents are suffering greatly as they see their son receive worldly advice and affection from strangers.  This affection is not love.  John 15:13 speaks of true love, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for a friends.”   As we view this young man, it is easy to see the pain in his expressions as he talks about this separation from his family.  He's hoping for acceptance, his family is hoping for heaven.  The battle that rages inside of him is far greater than most will ever understand.  He is the lost sheep that the Shepherd will leave the ninety-nine to pursue.

     In our call to love one another, it is good to remember that our definition of love is different than that of the world.  Love is not an attraction; love is not just an emotion that draws us to pleasure; love is a choice.  As a Christian, we are called to love our enemies.  This is hard, very hard.  Just as it is hard to resist the devil than it is to pursue something we desire.  As I write, I hope what speaks louder than my opinion of right and wrong is the conviction that we are only to pursue what brings glory to God.  Our world is full of judgers (both Christian and non-Christian).  I hope to encourage broken-heartedness over our meager efforts to expose the deceiver.  It is very easy to speak advice into the lives of others and not as easy to speak the truth or impart wisdom.  The warfare in this story is not the object of this young man’s affection; it is the warfare against his soul.  Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (I accept anything you choose, I accept whatever makes you happy, and you can and should define your own purpose)—lies, all lies.  Because everyone wants acceptance, Satan has long surrounded sin with the voice of reassurance.  Going astray isn’t new.  Pursuing our own desires isn’t new.  It’s in our nature.

     I pray this young man will learn more from his pain than from acceptance.  I pray that his family will remain firm in their conviction that the Word of God speaks the truth.  I pray that this young man will find the ending of his story much-like that of the prodigal son.  His father will rejoice over him when he returns home.  Only time will tell how God uses this young man’s story for His glory.  In the meantime, I intend to pray for him along with the rest of us who seek the approval of man.  Will you pray along with me that the power of the Holy God will intervene so that Belial will not steal, kill and destroy this young man’s faith?  We are given a warning in Matthew 7:22(a) when Jesus said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘LORD, LORD . . . Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me.” (Matthew 7:23a)  One thing we can believe, "It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God."  (Romans 14:11 NIV)