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The Jesus Lifestlye

Posted by Erik Hall on

I was watching the Academy Awards the other night. The best and the brightest both on the screen and behind the scenes were recognized for their talent, hard-work, and commitment to their craft. During many of the acceptance speeches there was thanks and praise, celebration of the arts, stories of sacrifice, passion, and perseverance, and encouragement for those still toiling-away as unknowns…   “keep at it, follow your dream, don’t let anyone tell you no”.

Those speeches were filled with good words, the celebration of the night rightly recognizes the arts of film-making and acting…   but I couldn’t help but think that maybe, as a culture, we’ve elevated the glitz and glamour and celebrity of Hollywood just a little too high. And, not just Hollywood, but also pro sports, popular music, fashion, and other similar genres. These industries attract billions of dollars, create ultra-rich celebrities, and fuel the dreams of millions who want to be just like them.

Not that there’s anything necessarily wrong with being rich or famous, but, all the while the stars are passing around trophies and rings and millions of dollars…   many dedicated, hardworking, faithful, and committed people are serving OTHERS with sacrifice, passion, and perseverance. Teachers, nurses, social workers, social entrepreneurs, public servants, non-profit employees are all on the front-lines of poverty, injustice, illness, and natural disasters both here and abroad. Almost always they remain unknown, unrecognized, and immensely undervalued.

Serving others has never really been a billion-dollar industry. Serving others has never really created the next super-famous celebrity or MVP. Serving others, in fact, is usually not glamorous, not profitable, and not comfortable. But, isn’t that the very example Jesus set for his followers:

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. (John 13:3-5)

That’s right…   Jesus emptied and humbled himself to serve others. Of course, the BIG example of that is just what we proclaim in the Good News: Jesus sacrificed himself for the sake of the world so that we may be redeemed and reconciled to God. But Jesus also lived out that example in daily, humble acts of service that pointed to a lifestyle. In this Scripture, he (the teacher and master) washes the feet of his disciples (the followers and students).

I wonder what the world would look like if as many people pursued this lifestyle (serving others), with as much sacrifice, passion, and perseverance, as those who are dreaming of becoming a star.

Oh yeah…   wait…   I know exactly what the world would look like: The Kingdom of God.