Thursday, April 24, 2008

Who is Your American Idol?

How many AI (the hip term for the TV show American Idol) fans do we have out there? Who are you cheering for? I know our guy Travis is a fan of American Idol, but was bored with this week's show even though he is a fan of Broadway musicals (check out Trav's blog).

Anyway, this week was a huge surprise according to the critics and bloggers. Everyone expected Brooke "the start over girl" or Jason "the train wreak" to be voted off, but it didn't happen. Somehow their fans pulled enough votes even when Brooke and Jason were not able to give their best performances. Yes, I know, you are thinking, "Why is she rambling on about American Idol? And what does this have to do with Deeper Still?"

It seems the older I get the more I see and hear God in even the simplest things. The deeper I go in my relationship with Jesus, the more connections I see between the cross of Christ and our culture. Like the fans of American Idol, how many times does the body of Christ cheer me on even when I am not at my best? How often do people believe in me when I don't believe in myself?

It appears Brooke and Jason both experienced grace this week. They didn't measure up according to most people. They probably believed along with everyone else that they would be the ones voted off the show and sent home. However, they were given unmerited favor. Their fans stuck by them even on an off week.

How much greater is the grace of God? Think about it. No matter what our past or how much we mess up, God is pulling for us. Jesus wants us to be reconciled to God and then share that reconciliation with others (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Jesus wants us to be ambassadors for Him. People who set an example for others, sharing with them Christ's love and grace and forgiveness. Jesus wants us to lift up His name in a way that He becomes the American Idol-the only one we worship and idolize. Deeper Still: The Event is one of those experiences where we lift up Jesus and the power of God's Word in such a way that we break down the false idols in our lives and instead put Jesus in His rightful place.

Now back to my original questions: How many AI fans do we have out there and who are you cheering for this season?

Here is one of my favorites from the fifth season of AI.....Mandisa!

This is Mandisa at Deeper Still in Nashville last September! Isn't she beautiful!

Posted by Michelle Hicks on Apr 24, 2008 at 01:18 PM