Tonight I had a brief discussion with two sisters in Christ about personally meeting people who we hold to be famous, powerful, successful, etc. I remember as a child the first time I met my baseball hero, Ozzie Smith. He was hosting a banquet for a bunch of inner city youth at a restaurant named for him. I didn't know what to say. I thought it was great that he was spending time with many of these kids who didn't have much. He was a great guy not a creep like many of the big name players. And Ozzie was also one of the world's best fielding baseball players.
I told Ozzie that he was my favorite player and that I had always wanted to meet him. We politely talked for less than a minute. I was flying sky high for the rest of the day.
Why is it that we feel so excited when we meet a personal hero or idol? Why do we all the sudden lose the ability to speak in coherent sentences?
I believe the answer varies depending on the person. Some people feel in awe around a personal hero. Some people don't want to look awkward or seem like another shallow fan. So that's exactly what they do. Others have just built the person up to be bigger than life, and they hope a little bit of the magic rubs off on them. Still, others start thinking about retelling the story to their friends later and miss enjoying the moment.
Regardless of why we get star struck, the fact remains that it happens to just about everyone at some time in their lives. Even those people who become famous were young once and they had someone that they looked up to. There is only one who has never been star struck. And that is because He made the stars. His name is Jesus.
If there is only one true Famous One, why it is that so many who claim to cherish Him take His presence for granted? When I look deep into my heart, why is it that I get more excited about meeting a baseball player than spending time with the God of the entire universe? Why don't I get star struck by the awesome power of God's glory?
God created all things by His words. He is the King of Kings. He is the best artists of all time. He is the most powerful hero of the ages. God measures the universe within the span of His hand. Yet, He cares about me. God invites me to have access to His throne room. At any time of the day, I can barge right in and demand to meet with the Famous One.
Consider Hebrews 10:19-22
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh and having an high priest over the house of God Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Wow, we can boldly go into the holiest place in the universe. We are purified by the work of Jesus. We no longer have to feel guilty. God invites us to draw near to Him. When I stop to consider even a measure of the reality of God's invitation and calling, anything else seems lame by comparison. We do truly have all things in One if we would only believe.
Father, forgive me for thinking less of You than I should. Forgive me for elevating people beyond where they should be. Help me to see Your glory in every good thing. Draw my heart near to You. May I look with wonder about all that You have done. Truly, You have done great things. You are the Famous One, the Holy One, the Lord of all. May I be transformed by the reality that You have made me a son in Your kingdom. Fill me with a greater sense of destiny. May I live by the new and living way each day. Amen!
