During a recent vacation I was
watching a concert movie that featured many of Elvis Presley’s performances
during one tour in (I think) the early 1970’s. The extent of his success and
popularity and his love for Gospel music make him an interesting person to me.
Much like Frank Sinatra in the generation before him, there was a time when
Elvis Presley created a movement and mania of fan devotion and adulation. No
one was better known and his fame was at a peak. It did not last – of course it
never can – but his influence and popularity with his adoring fans still held a
strong place, even though he had been “supplanted” by the Beatles among the
masses.
One of the things that struck me while
watching the film was the role of the back-up singers and Elvis’ relationship
with them. They were valued by Elvis and he considered them an important part
of his act. They were always with him on stage. There were several female
singers (The Sweet Inspirations) and the men were typically Gospel singers: J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet in this
film. Back-up singers, as well as those playing the instruments, are all very
talented people. But the fans – those who came to the concerts – did not come
to see them. As low a note as J.D. Sumner could hit… or as great as the piano
and guitar players and drummers might be… people came not for them, but for
Elvis. Elvis was the star. Elvis was the adored one. Elvis was the main
attraction. Everything the back-up singers did had one purpose alone: to enhance the “star” and NOT to call
attention to themselves. The spotlight was on the star and not on the back-up
singers.
I believe there is a significant
spiritual parable in that. While I would never want to relegate our Lord Jesus
Christ to some earthly idea of fandom and worldly fame, there is something
significant about who I am in relation to Him and what my place is in His
universe. There is always a temptation for we Christians to make our Christian
faith all about us, as if we were the “star of the show”. Do you ever sense
that in you? The more exposure we have to the public and the greater role we
have in front of people – leading, speaking, performing, etc. – the more
opportunity we have to think about and “enjoy” the spotlight’s shine upon us.
We need to exercise great care and always remember our place. It truly is
awesome that we get to be close to Jesus – that He knows us, uses us, loves us,
makes the most of our talents and abilities (which He gave us in the first
place) – but all of that is designed for His glory, not ours… for people to
think well of Him, not us. I remember hearing about a pastor who came to his
pulpit his first Sunday and found the following message taped down in front of
him (for his eyes): “We would see Jesus!”. What a great reminder for all of our
lives – in any place of service to the Lord, prominent or hidden from others.
The greatest thing that could ever happen in my life is that people would see
Jesus, be drawn to Him, and come to know and love Him.
None of us are ever likely to become
superstars in the category of an Elvis. Many of us feel that just the opposite
is the case, and many want nothing to do with any spotlight anywhere. In the
end it doesn’t really matter. We are all “back-up singers” using our talents
(from Him) to the increase of His glory, honor, and praise. May it be so from
the quietest of moments when no one is around to the most public of times when
we may be before other people. What a good and blessed thing it is to be “in
the band” in the gracious design and plan of our Savior and Lord. To God be the
glory!
John 3:30 (KJV) He must
increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30 (NLT) He must become greater and greater, and I
must become less and less.
2 Corinthians 4:5-7 (NIV) 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus
Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For
God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light
shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in
jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from
us.
Matthew 5:16
(NIV) In the same way, let your light shine
before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
PRAYER: Father, may my life always point to Jesus. May
I seek only His glory and honor. May I be satisfied with decreased attention
and importance so that His name and reputation may become greater and that He
will be loved more and more. In Christ’s name, AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
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