A Golden Globe

January 15, 2013

" . . . Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord." Genesis 13:12-13

I'm ashamed to admit I even know that the Golden Globes aired two nights ago on television. My husband and I rarely watch television. However, as my husband searched for highlights from Sunday's NFL playoff game we stumbled across a program filled with famous stars adorned in beautiful evening attire. I only watched for a moment before my admiration turned to sadness.

I can't tell you her name. I couldn't begin to guess the name of the television program in which this star performs. Apparently members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association think highly of her as the association selected this actress to receive a Golden Globe award. She glided effortlessly onto the stage. With a bounce in her curls and a stunning blue (or was it red?) ball-gown she looked picture-perfect. But as this actress began her acceptance speech the lie for which she's fallen became apparent.

I can't recall her entire speech but amidst her message she called television "this wonderfully rich place." I have nothing against television per say. I realize that the Golden Globes recognize more than daytime television stars including music, movies and the works of writers much more talented than myself. The danger of television lies in us believing that Hollywood has it right. We watch wealth, fame and beauty overflow from a ballroom in Beverly Hills, and unwittingly conclude that Hollywood knows the only path to happiness and success.

As I watched the Golden Globes I found myself reminded of the temptation to desire the things of the world. In Genesis 13 God has blessed Abraham his nephew Lot to such an extent that the land in which they live can no longer support both of their families. Abraham approaches Lot and invites Lot to chose a land for himself. Lot's no dummy. He surveys the land and chooses the land which appears lush and fertile leaving the less-than-perfect land for his humble uncle. The land Lot chose was none other than the land of Sodom.

Notice the words of Genesis 13:13, "But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord."

Lot fell for the temptation of living amongst a corrupt people because their land appeared to offer everything his young heart desired. As Lot surveyed the land from his Lazy Boy the land seemed picture-perfect. Maybe Lot even thought to himself, "I'm strong enough to live in that place without succumbing to the ways of the wicked." But Lot's fate would prove otherwise. Because of Abraham's prayers God spared Lot during the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:29). But the story paints a picture of the heart of a man which had been led astray.

Abraham failed short of God's glory many times . . . as do we. But Abraham's heart desired the ways of God. By allowing Lot to chose first Abraham by default received the land of Canaan. Canaan was the very land God had promised to Abraham's descendents in Genesis 12. Canaan would serve as the Israelites' Promised Land, a land which at first glance may have appeared less fertile but deep down flowed with milk and honey.

I shouldn't imply that Hollywood is the land of the wicked. But I think the ways and the desires of Hollywood are anything but to be admired. Many times living the "Christian life" doesn't seem all that attractive on the surface. But God has
promised to those who follow Him in faith a heavenly Canaan. A place where God may not award golden globes
but crowns for us to place at the feet of our Savior. A place where Christ will rule and where the streets which wrap around the globe are paved in gold (Revelation 21:21).