“The (Trap)pings of Fame”

"The (Trap)pings of Fame"

    99% of the human race choose professions that do not involve fame and notoriety.  Most people perform their labors in obscurity, known only to others who work with them, or perhaps those who benefit from their endeavors.  For some, the thought may occur that it would be nice to be famous, but most people spend little time indulging the fantasy.  This is proper for a race of beings who exist to direct honor to Another.

    "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).

    Fame comes to some as the byproduct of a chosen pursuit.  Others choose a pursuit for the express purpose of becoming well known.  Many do not handle notoriety well, as we might expect considering our calling to glorify God.  The temptation of self importance strongly entices those who find themselves admired, respected, liked, and even loved by multitudes who usually know very little about their icon's true nature, character, and life.  Rare is the notable soul who overcomes the challenging of thinking well of himself due to a name in lights that belies human frailty and the truth that we are all supplicants dependent on the only One truly worthy of glory.  "What hast thou that thou didst not receive?   Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it" (I Corinthians 4:7). 

    The trappings of fame are, as the word implies, a trap.  Devilish and deceptive voices beckon to the well known with notions of pride and superiority that lead the unwitting into spiritual, mental, emotional, and even physical turmoil.  For those who avoid the snare, genuine respect is warranted.  For the many notables trapped by fame, many prayers are in order.  The rest of us do well to rejoice in the safety of obscurity, and even more, to live our lives for the glory and honor of Lord Jesus Christ.  We are as moons to His sun, absorbing and reflecting His light, and seeking to join the Psalmist in his determined purpose…

"Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us!  But unto Thy name give glory for Thy mercy and Thy truth's sake."

(Psalm 115:1)

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

(Philippians 2:9-11)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.

(I Peter 2:6)