Fame! Is It What You Think?
Many have written and preached on this subject. But, it is one worth revisiting from time to time. Whether admitted or not, everyone has a deep desire to be famous. When I was growing up I had two such desires. The first was to be a famous baseball player. However, there was one thing standing in my way: the fact that my eye was too slow. By the time I would swing the bat, the ball would be in the catcher’s glove. I would occasionally get lucky, but not often. Not being able to hit well was and is fine for a Pitcher –– no one expects the Pitcher to hit well. They are expected to throw the ball well and strike out batters. My problem was that I was a Right Fielder and not a Pitcher. I knew that my playing in the big leagues was not going to happen.
My second dream was to be a great Quarterback. I was pretty good at throwing the ball. When I threw, it did not wobble all over the place, but went straight like a bullet. When I was growing up quarterbacks were supposed to be thin and be able to run and make yards, if need be. I have always been a little heavier, so no football team wanted me as a Quarterback. All the high school coaches could see was a lineman.
I am going to pose a few questions and you see how many you can answer:
• Can you name three wealthiest people in the world? I can see everyone’s mind going to Bill Gates or Warren Buffet. After that most people draw blanks. They can’t think of anyone else.
• Can you name the last three winners of the Miss America contest? You probably cannot. A new Miss America was just crowned a few weeks back and you likely do not even remember her name.
• Can you name the last five Super Bowl winners? This is one the men often are able to answer. But, even for them it poses problems at times.
• Can you name the last three World Series winners? Maybe some of the sports enthusiasts will come up with this, too.
• Can you name the last five Academy Award winners for best picture? This often proves challenging after the current and previous year.
How did you do?
Even though these were the tops in their fields, we really do not remember them too well. We forget rather quickly. The applause that these people received soon becomes quieter and quieter until finally it dies. The awards that they may receive soon just sit on the shelf that they put it on and tarnish. Many, except for the topic enthusiasts, do not remember the winners of these achievements. When they die, their accolades are buried with them.
Many people, young and old alike, struggle to find meaning and purpose in life. Often I hear the youth talking about how great life is going to be when they graduate high school. They soon realize that this does not bring satisfaction. Many of them continue their education and begin to believe that life will really take a strong swing for the best after they graduate from the university. When these things do not bring the satisfaction that they thought they would, they begin to believe that finding that special boyfriend or girlfriend will feel the emptiness that they feel. Then they think, “Well maybe after I get married and have the daughter or son I will feel fulfillment.” They soon realize again that this does not feel the longing in their hearts.
They begin working harder at their jobs so that they can obtain a promotion with hopes that this will bring the happiness they are looking for. Even after the promotions they still feel a lack in their lives. They think that cars, phones, computers or any number of the modern gadgets with fill what they are missing in their lives. But, they do not.
If you are struggling with this, the book of Ecclesiastes was written for you. The writer, Solomon, tells us that he has tried everything life has to offer: wine, women, and song.
His conclusion is this: "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!...Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." Ecclesiasties 12:8, 13
Solomon reminds us that it is God who gives meaning to our lives. If God is missing then you will never find meaning in life.
Think of it this way: Without Jesus, you and I are just a bunch of molecules thrown together by chance. If Jesus doesn’t exist, then we came from and are headed toward impersonal nothingness. If we do not make Jesus the center then any attempt at finding purpose in life is utterly ridiculous and doomed to failure.
Some youth and young people want to replace Jesus with evolution. Some youth and young people are afraid to stand on God’s Word lone. We all need to remember the God who spoke to create the world, and the God who talked to Moses and the other prophets. When Jesus told the Pharisees, “Before Abraham was I Am,” the Pharisees understood who Jesus was saying that He was. Without Jesus as the Creator, we might just as well be a lizard, or a rock, or…nothing at all.
Sounds pretty bleak, doesn't it? It is bleak, if we subtract God from the equation. This belief that there is no God and therefore no meaning is what has driven many, including some of the greatest minds in history, to despair, alcoholism, and even suicide. How many rich and famous have taken their lives in the past couple years because they had lost hope? Most recently a name that comes to mind is Robin Williams. Outside of Jesus there is no hope. The majority of the rich and famous are really very unhappy.
Trina Paulis wrote a book titled, Hope for the Flowers. In this book she relates the story of a caterpillar called Stripe. Stripe is looking for the meaning of life. He goes wandering about and comes across a giant pillar of caterpillars. They are all climbing and trying to get to the top. The nearer the top he gets, the more difficult it becomes for him to move upward. One of the others said that some of the caterpillars would have to be sacrificed for them to move up further. The column shook and many fell off. As some above Stripe get to the top, they realize that nothing is there. As Stripes hears whisper of “nothingness,” he looks around and sees other caterpillar pillars all around.
Maybe some of you reading this feels like something is really wrong but “...what else is there?"
The good news is that there is something more. We don't have to run pointlessly after illusions like a slightly more sophisticated version of a hamster on a treadmill.
I have a few more questions for you. Are you ready? I promise that they will be easier.
• Can you think of three people you enjoy spending time with?
• Can you name three people who have taught you something worthwhile?
• Can you name five friends who have helped you in a difficult time?
• Can you list three teachers who have aided your journey through school?
• Can you name three heroes whose stories have inspired you?
It was easier wasn’t it?
The rich and famous really do not impact our lives as greatly as we think they do. Many have tried the route of wine, women, and song to find meaning, purpose, happiness, and peace of mind. Many SDA’s get caught up in video games, concerts, movies, dancing, and yes¬––even alcohol and drugs. Is that working for you? No, these things just haven’t done it. When you finish these activities you’re left wanting more or seeking for something else. Please allow me to challenge you to try one more thing, Jesus Christ. Try surrendering your ALL to Him. 100%. Do not hold anything back from Him and allow Him to work in your life.
I want to assure you that He created you. I want to assure you that He knows you by name. Jesus knows you so well that He knows how many hairs are on your Head. Even though He knows you better than you know yourself, He still loves you and wants you to get to know Him. He will give purpose and meaning to life as He calls us to follow Him in His grand adventure. If you're searching for meaning, follow the writer of Ecclesiastes to its source: a lifelong personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
I promise you that He will give you the purpose and meaning in your life that you are looking for.
Frank Lynn was in the first group of Lay Pastors chosen to be trained in the Pennsylvania Conference. He has taught ESL in Korea for 14 years. 10 years for SDA Language Institute, one year for Daejeon SDA Middle School and 2.5 years for Hankook Sahmyook Middle School. He is currently working a couple part time jobs in ESL along with serving in the ministry team at Atlanta Korean SDA Church.