Paris Hilton--Why Do We Care?

"those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. I would like you to be free from concern." I Cor 7:30-32

Pastor Jeff repeatedly discusses how he is a news junkie. Like him, I read every newspaper, magazine, and watch CNN, FoxNews, and MSNBC as much as I can. When I was in the Army and we were deployed to the field on a 30-45 day field exercise, I convinced my 1SG to go back to the rear and bring me a newspaper every day so I could know what was going on around me. Did it really matter? Not really, except for my own peace of mind. I love living in this world and want to understand it and know what is going on around it as much as I can.

That being said, I have grown increasingly frustrated over two "news" stories that incessantly litter the airwaves recently: the Anna Nicole Smith saga and the Paris Hilton to jail episode. As a matter of fact, I was listening to ESPN radio this afternoon, and the talk show host interrupted a discussion on the NBA Finals to inform the listeners what happened during Hilton's court hearing today. UGH!

I must confess that I view the covers of the tabloids at the store while in line, but am I the only one who feels dirty afterwards? Who cares and why do we care? I believe that there is a two-fold answer to this.

Sociological studies repeatedly indicate that this generation we are living in feels more stress, works more hours, is more in debt, and lives in more broken homes than any generation before. Did you know that in the USA, anti-depressants overtook anti-hypertensive medications as the most prescribed drugs last year? What does that say? Entrenching ourselves in the drama and misery of the celebrities many of us adore, sweeps us away from our own lives and sets of issues. It is household escapism.

Secondly, I believe that although we are in the world, so many around us lose sight of the bigger picture. The space shuttle Atlantis lifted off tonight for an 11 day mission. I ask you, how many of you will be seen from the astronauts in orbit? How about your homes? Wichita? Kansas? Not gonna happen. The larger picture simply is that we have a God-given task which is to glorify God in all that we do so that others may know Him. Sometimes, we get so immersed in our daily activities and buzz, that we forget our place in the world.

Don't get me wrong. Each of is important to God because He created each of us and scripture identifies us as unique and with purpose. But to the world, we are petty. I'm sorry Anna Nicole Smith passed away and her daughter won't know her. I feel terribly that Paris Hilton drove drunk on a suspended license for a previous DUI and endangered others' lives. However, the time I could spend watching or reading those gossipy stories could be much better used reading a book, spending quality time with my family, praying, or writing to you all about it all.

What's the point? I'm not really sure. Maybe I wish society inherently had a clue about spiritual direction. I wish that substance would overtake fluff. I wish that people would allow God into their lives more fully so that stress, debt, depression, broken homes, and overworked people would dissipate. My daughter brought home a line from school the other day,"You get what you get and don't throw a fit." Pretty good. We've adopted it around here. However, God promises that He answers prayers, and these are my prayers.