Celebrity

Didn't realise what a hotbed of celebrity Carlisle was. From the sad to the surreal in one week. We had the funeral of Edward Stobart in the Cathedral at the start of the week, then we saw Peter Capaldi (Malcolm Tucker 'The Thick of it') and small entourage walking from the station in the direction of Nando's. Finally, my personal highlight, Brian Blessed doing a TV interview in the centre of town. Using his celebrity to influence people to be compassionate - towards 'feline friends'. Well, he was in 'Cats'....

Strange thing celebrity... fame in one area of life seems to endue the individual with a credibility in every other area. 'You've been in a soap, please tell me your views on the situation in Libya'. 'You're a famous actor, of course I'll listen to your views on cats', 'You're a rock star with a very questionable lifestyle, please tell me what I should think about God'.....




It extends into religious life as well - we can all list the top ten Christian celebrities... the famous Spring Harvest / New Wine speakers, the international celebs on tour - Rob Bell, the anointed God Channel ministers.... Nothing new of course... 'some follow Paul, others Apollos...'

And apparently, we are all due 5 minutes of fame. Already had mine from my starring appearance in TV bowls competitions 30 odd years ago - what is there to look forward to now?

Ridiculous isn't it? How we alter our behaviour around the famous! Articulate people tongue tied 'love your work' we stutter. We long to get close so some of the magic might rub off on us. 'Guess who I saw today, who I sat next to, whose autograph I got...' How good we feel if someone famous greets us -Us! He noticed me! And if, by some chance they actually know us, call us by name - in front of our friends! Our life is complete, the famous one lifted me up to their exalted height...

"Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.  His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: 

King of all kings and Lord of all lords."

That's celebrity, that's fame.

And He looks at you and says “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared"

So here's the real deal. You are known by the King of Kings. He knows you, loves you, values you. He sets a banquet in your honour. In front not just of your friends, but of those who accused you, mocked you, doubted you, He serves you, he says 'look on, see my friend, see my honoured guest'. He loves you so much that he has thought up a perfect new name for you. A name that describes the fulness of your potential, the hopes and dreams that he has for you. More than that, he doesn't just give you a passing glance, a brief acknowledgement, he gives you his full attention, all the time.

This is no 'feet of clay' celebrity in whom we will one day be disappointed. This is no five minutes of fame, this is eternal life.

Lift your head high. Stand tall. You are known and loved by God.