The Gospel According to the Oscars
Everyone wants to be acknowledged for something.
This need for affirmation can be a good thing. For instance, when my five-month-old son learned how to jump up and down in his jump-a-roo, he needed to be affirmed. He needed to know that his mommy and his daddy saw what he was doing and were as excited as he was. “This is a good thing, Finny! Keep jumping!”
The need to be affirmed can also take a more sinister spin. The Oscars prove this beyond a shadow of a doubt. “Affirm me!” seems to be the cry of the night–if not the cry of the soul.
- If you look pretty, you get in. People gawk at how beautiful/handsome you are. They comment on the wonderful clothes you’re wearing. People affirm you because of what you bring them–pleasure, increased social standing, money, power, etc.
- If you look average, or even “less than perfect,” you’re not allowed to enter. You are not affirmed. You’re ignored, passed over for George Clooney or Sandra Bullock. If you’re outfit isn’t name-brand, you’ll be ridiculed by others–via telestrator, even.
- The line of who is “in” (affirmed) and who is “out” (unaffirmed, ignored) is clear and solid.
Beauty, art, creativity and brilliance must be celebrated wherever they surface. There are too few celebrations of the good and true in life. In some ways, the Oscars do this.
The Oscars also highlight the tragedy of the human existence–trying to be “good enough” in order to get noticed; to be affirmed. Unfortunately, this dynamic plays out in many of our faith lives. We think we can do enough, pray enough, study enough, serve enough in order to be “affirmed” by God. Whoops.
We are the ones trying to find the right designer to wear.
We are the ones endlessly primping ourselves in order to get noticed.
We are the ones who engage in toxic and bizarre behavior hoping that someone will notice.
All this to get the attention of a God who welcomes crooks, whores, cheats, villains and drop-outs to the table (the “after-party,” if you will). He welcomes the ones who have done absolutely nothing to get his attention. He welcomes the “not-good-enoughs.” And here’s the little Gospel secret we patronize from the pulpits–no one is good enough. We give lip service to this, but few of us really believe it. The allure of the red carpet is far too strong.
The Oscars are over. But we have a choice to make: are we going to continue to primp and preen, hoping the reality of our brokenness can be sheened over with fake tan and a tuxedo? Or are we going to realize that God sees the brokenness, the “not-good-enough” deep within us, and still prepares a seat at the table for us?
This resonnates with me. As much as I enjoy watching the personalities and the crazy fashions and the art on display, there is something that turns me away at the same time. It's a little bit like a modern day tower of Babel. So much money and energy spent to celebrate human achievement. It's like an elite club throwing an elaborate party to celebrate itself. I guess I watch to see what goes into the storytelling of Hollywood. So many stories are told each year – and they become part of pop culture, shaping the world we live in. I'm fascinated by the effort and innovation that goes into the storytelling. It's a challenge to the church, I believe. How creative can we be to reach this culture with the greatest story EVER? Thanks Justin. God bless.
Justin and others, here is a question that I am wrestling with and I think it fits into this post (but remember I am wrestling with this so don't jump down my throat if it seems judgmental or something like that)
I wonder if we are doing the same thing in the “Christian” world of things? You know, you have to have a certain platform to offer any value or so many followers on twitter to be important. You have to have a church of 5000 to ever speak at a conference or be consider a great leader.
I just wonder if we are buying into the oscar way of valuing people?
You're onto something. Seems the allure of the red carpet can creep even into the Church………….
Well not only into the red carpet of church world but all the people standing behind the barriers wishing to either be on the red carpet or be able to talk to, touch, or take a pic of the people on the red carpet.
Perhaps you're painting with too broad a brush. There is pettiness to be sure – but I have a hard time fitting the folks that aren't on the A-list into this category. For every 'king of the world' there might be 20 making a documentary short subject crawling around in the muck to tell some of today's most important stories.
Reminds me of one of Charlie Hall's songs, “Hookers & Robbers,” that we played at Hope NorthBranch one Sunday before communion. =)
Crack kids, track kids, hookers and robbers
The naked and hungry, mothers and fathers
Abuses, excuses, and guns in your hands
And I even welcome the arrogant man
I welcome you all to the biggest of feasts
A night of no shame
To pause and to breathe
This is a night of love's renovation
A feast I am sure that could change a whole nation
Me, I am not such an excellent host
I am one who forgives but needs it the most
I found the liar, the killer of hearts
And I ran away with a new way to start
I journeyed a road where a bright man appeared
He looked into me, and my eyes filled with tears
My breath fast and short and my heart burning deep
He gave me new eyes and a new way to see
So come as you are, as you are, as you are
So come as you are, as you are, as you are
I still defiled his great love ways
I felt such a famine when I ran away
I missed the presence, the voice like a song
I was nasty and dirty, I knew I was wrong
But he ran to me like a dream like a father
This love is not earthly this love must be other
He carried me home and threw me a party
A party so loud like the greatest love story
Oh my dear friend applaud now please
I've invited you heart to announce you are free
He takes your chains, busting you out of prison
Just open your heart, let your heart come and listen
Come as you are, as you are, as you are
Come as you are, as you are, as you are
Who could accept all your pounding and screaming
Your raging, your freaking, cussing, and beating
All while He holds you and always forgiving
This is the story of love and of living
Wipe off your tears and laugh just a little
Come break this bread, celebrate the Forgiver
Raise up a glass, a time to remember
Come break this bread, celebrate the Forgiver
Come as you are, as you are, as you are
Come as you are, as you are, as you are
Understand and would challenge church leaders to instead of thinking of ways to get “those behind the barriers” involved and have a role so they can feel important, rather leaders ought to make it clear that one's significance is their privileged relationship with Christ, no more no less and the church will do what it wants and empower who it wants, and that doesn't really mean anything to us as individuals or them as leaders in terms of significance. It only affects us if we don't know and understand Christ. Ours roles in society and church are more like the phrase “Birds fly.” We'll never be satisfied with them but only being loved by God and loving God.
Unrelated add: It seems that very few “red carpet Christians” finish strong in the Bible and in real-life.
Mm. Preach.
Reminds me of the book, The Divine Dance. All the world's a stage–who are you dancing for? There is only One who should have our attention. But it's so easy to forget when we want to be accepted! Thanks for the reminder.
Reminds me of the book, The Divine Dance. All the world's a stage–who are you dancing for? There is only One who should have our attention. But it's so easy to forget when we want to be accepted! Thanks for the reminder.