Fame
“Fame, I’m gonna live for ever. I’m gonna learn how to fly, high”. It’s the theme tune from 1980s TV series, Fame, based at the New York City High School for the performing arts.
Do you want to be famous? Maybe as
a teenager listening in today, you are a budding musician, you’d love to play
Wembley and be surrounded by adoring crowds. Maybe you hope your youtube
channel or Instagram account will go viral, or you’ll play football for Man
United or at least St Ives.
Others look back to a moment of
fame in the past, shaking hands with the Queen, or completing a charity
fundraiser and getting their photo in the Hunts Post.
Well here’s what a couple of famous
people have said about fame, and they might make you think twice about fame…
· “Fame is like caviar you know- it’s good to have
caviar but not when you have it at every
meal”- Marilyn Monroe.
· “Fame itself… doesn’t really afford you anything more
than a good seat in a restaurant”. David Bowie.
· “Success has brought me world idolisation and millions
of pounds, but it’s prevented me from having the one thing we all need: a
loving, ongoing relationship”. Freddie Mercury.
In the Bible there was a character
that churches sometimes focus on in this Advent season running up to Christmas
called John the Baptist. He was quite an alternative kind of guy, eating
insects and wearing hairy shirts, and a fiery preacher. But his motto was
actually to point away from himself. He said of Jesus Christ “He must become greater, I must become
less”. (John 3:30).
I know others like this. They are self-effacing.
They sink into the background at church or in their workplace, never wanting to
take the glory, but always wanting to serve. And they find joy that way. They
find joy in serving the King of Kings, and I am humbled by them.
Fame can be more trouble than it’s
worth. But making Jesus Christ famous is actually really rewarding, because you
are backing the only real winner who never disappoints. The one who the Bible
says everyone will one day meet.