He Will be Praised!

"...and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father..." -Philippians 2:11

"...if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out..." -Luke 19:40

I am not typically a television watcher, but for the last few weeks Sarah and I have spent a few hours each week watching a show that I'm sure you've heard of, even if you don't have a television. We watch American Idol.

This show has the largest viewing audience of any show on earth. It has been duplicated in many countries worldwide. It is at this time the ultimate that Hollywood has to offer. The name is perfect for the show... and frightening in its boldness. If you are one of the few who don't know, the show is an open competition for a music recording contract and instant worldwide fame. From thousands of hopefuls they narrow the field until the final dozen are household names. Although one person wins it all, the show is such a phenomenal hit that the top few contenders lives are changed forever.

But I'm not here to promote a television show. Last week they aired a special edition of the show called "Idol Gives Back." The show was funded by corporate giants such as Ford Motors and Apple/Mac electronics. I didn't count, but I would guess that almost a hundred celebrities made guest appearances on the show... from famous actors to rock stars to presidential candidates. They were all there to ask people to give to charities... and the works of many of these charities are very praiseworthy.

I watched the show with very mixed feelings, and I have been thinking about it ever since. When I think of the rich and famous of Hollywood, I don't imagine that they are anything like what a Christian should be like. I don't look to the stars of television to give me an example to follow. But during this show, they were doing just that. We think that many of them are morally bankrupt, and yet they are doing the feeding of the hungry and the giving to the poor that the hands of Jesus should be doing.

At the end of the show something happened that jarred me to the core. On this show, of all shows, they closed with the well known church hymn which includes the following lines:

"...shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing,
Glory and majesty, praise to the King,
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your Name!"

As the song was broadcast worldwide I sat in wonder and conviction. It seemed to me that the message was clear... God will do His work, and He will use any instrument He chooses. He does not depend on me or the church for His glory, but is glorified by creation and even by Hollywood!

Praise Him today!