Celebrities: Humans Who Need God’s Love

People have different callings in life. The apostle Paul talked in 1 Corinthians about different spiritual gifts and how those could apply in the church. We are drawn to different people groups when it comes to help. You’ve probably noticed this if you’ve ever spent any amount of time in a church building.

Some people are great with kids. Others are fantastic with teenagers and young adults. Some have been called to take care of older people. Several feel callings to people groups in Africa, Haiti, or China. Others feel like they’re called to help the underprivileged in their own area. Some are called to work with those who have been abused, or even counseling the abusers. People work with the handicapped, the mentally challenged, the orphans and the single parents, those who are hurting and those still healing.

What about me? Well, I’m not very good with kids. I hate to travel. Inner city work terrifies me. Now, if God called me to do any of that, I’d go–though perhaps with some very persistent prayer and the constant question of “Why?”

Still, there’s one people group who has always caught my attention. They’ve tugged at my heartstrings the way hungry children in Africa would tug on some people’s heartstrings. I feel sorry for them–in a genuine, compassionate, I-want-to-reach-out-to-these-people-and-help kind of way. Who are they?

Celebrities.

The title probably gave it away, but I bet you’re still a little confused. Celebrities? you say. What about them? you say. Don’t they have everything they could ever want? you say. Don’t they often misuse what they do have? you say.

And I say: Yes. They do. They have all the money and fame and privilege and stuff that anyone could want . . . but they’re still never happy enough.

You’ve seen their antics. You’ve seen the crazy things they do. Names like Miley Cyrus and Justin Beiber tend make people feel a little disgusted or, at the very least, uneasy. We’re so fast to judge them when we see them on the news, doing another racy stunt for attention.

Why on earth do we judge these people?! I don’t know about you, but if I had my name plastered everywhere, there would be plenty for the tabloids to rip apart. We put these people up on a pedestal and then expect them to be perfect. Why do we do this? They’re human, for crying out loud! Human. Just like you and me. They mess up. They make mistakes. Then we tear them to shreds. Why?!

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. – Romans 3:23

It doesn’t say all expect for those people who have a lot of money. It’s not all except those who are famous. The Bible doesn’t tell us that it’s all except for those who do bad things on a stage in front of millions of screaming fans.

“Got it, Rosie. They sin too. You say that like I didn’t know it.”

Maybe you did, maybe you didn’t. But have you ever stopped to think about what comes after the sin?

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

Everyone can be forgiven! “We” doesn’t refer to “good people.” It refers to the same as Romans 3:23: ALL! Everyone can be forgiven. It doesn’t matter what you did, how many people saw it, or how often you’ve done it. You get down on your knees, repent, and do everything possible to never do it again. And when you fail, you get down on your knees again and ask for God’s help to keep you away from sin.

All will sin. No one is exempt from forgiveness. Jesus came for all of us.

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. – Mark 2:17

“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Matthew 9:13

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. – 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (Emphasis added)

Amen, Jesus and Paul. Amen.

Those with fame and money have everything, but something is still missing. According to the Bible, it’s God. Blaise Pascal said, “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”

We look up at celebrities and judge them. But have you ever thought about the reason we need to judge them? What have we Christians done wrong that so many famous people feel the need to flaunt their bare backsides in a desperate attempt for even more attention? Why is it the norm in our society is to strive for the material things that could never fully satisfy? Where have we gone wrong?

I’m just one girl. I don’t know any celebrities. I wouldn’t know how to walk up to them in Hollywood and just start talking about Jesus. That’s the point of this post. There are two things I know how to do well; the only things I can do: Write and pray.

I’m begging you, please share this with everyone you know. Reblog it, post it on Twitter, Facebook, whatever. Share this around as a reminder. And as you share, pray for those in Hollywood who might not even know God’s name. I’m not trying to get attention for myself; I want to share God’s love with some who need it the most. Maybe someone reading this will know how, and even if you don’t, you can pray. We can pray for change and for hope and love.

Here’s my challenge for you: Get down on your knees right now and pray for all those celebrities who don’t know the Lord. Pray for them the same way you would pray for your sick aunt or for hungry children in Africa. Pray for them as human beings. Then, whenever you see the newest scandal in Hollywood, instead of judging and thinking badly about them, start praying. Remember that they are human, just like you, and they need God’s love, just like you.  Hold back your judgements. Fill your heart with love and mercy for people who are breaking down in the spotlight.

These stars need love just as much as us. The problem is, they’re so often overlooked. We idolize them, seeing them as something amazing. Or we degrade them, seeing them as something to spit on and make us feel better about ourselves. Yes, they mess up. They mess up a lot. But why? Could it be because they don’t know how else to act? Could it be because we haven’t done our job? Because we haven’t shown them love?

Remember that these people have the whole world watching. It probably doesn’t feel good to have judgements passed and so much hate thrown their way. Imagine what it would be like if they knew that we loved them, and that we would be by their sides when they fall down.

Dear readers: Share this around with your friends. Together, let’s pray for those who are judged and overlooked and scorned by society.

Dear celebrities: I love you, just as Jesus did. Whatever you’ve done and whatever you will do, I will love you unconditionally. God will forgive you for everything, and He can help you turn your life around. He loves you.

Dear God: I pray for those living a life of fame and wealth. I pray that they would see the light, and I pray that we would be able to share that light with them. Please, Father, help those who see this post to remember that You love everyone. Help them to forgive without judgement. I trust that You can do big things with my simple little post. I pray that You can use all us small people to do big things in your name. Amen.