I’ll have to admit that I love the show American Idol. It’s magical when ordinary folk see their dreams come true. It’s the old rags-to-riches story. With American Idol, the fantasy becomes reality for some fortunate young talents.

The term “American idol” can have much deeper meaning. When I think of that term apart from television, I think of beauty, the latest in electronic devices or automobiles, position, wardrobe, lucrative investments, popularity, success in business, even vacations – those things that Americans tend to idolize. There’s nothing wrong with such things. But when status morphs into status quo, when seen as necessary for satisfaction in this life, and when viewed as the assumed and expected standard for everyone, then we have a problem.

Frankly, I don’t have a problem with society in general chasing all that glitters. After all, such pursuit is human nature. Those who have not experienced spiritual regeneration naturally believe that only what can be seen or felt is real. This is expected.

The problem is that there seems to be little differentiation between the focus and pursuits of the general public and the focus and pursuits of those in the Church. In fact, materialism is actually promoted from some pulpits. The American idol known to some of us as “Santa Claus theology” is alive and well. The truth of it is – if the same message cannot be preached in Bangladesh, then it’s not the true gospel.

Wikipedia defines “idol” as “an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed.” Christian teaching takes it one step further by suggesting that anything that shifts our focus and energy away from glorifying God, whatever dominates our thoughts (apart from God), is an idol. Believers know better than to bow down to the golden cows of achievement, materialism, status, and beauty; yet, the draw is very real and very, very present. 

Then there’s the “first you need to take care of yourself” (said Jesus never) line of psycho-babble, often trumpeted to avoid sacrifice. We’ve been purchased by His blood to fulfill His purposes, not pursue our fleshly desires. Grace enables us to do just that.

The Apostle Paul gave us proper perspective when he said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Contentment. Now that’s something worthy to be called an American idol.

Joy in Jesus,

Jacquee