If you’re anything like me, than you were shocked and saddened by the news that Brad and Jen were calling it quits. Some of you are wondering, “Brad who?” Others of you are thinking, “I KNOW!!”
For those of you who may be confused, I’m talking about the recent breakup of Hollywood’s elusive Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. By now, you may be even more confused. However, I feel it’s important that we address the fact that we put celebrities on pedestals, and that is not healthy for us, especially as believers.
As a woman, I admit that I’m intrigued by celebrities, I admire their clothes (sometimes), I’m taken aback by their homes, and I’m curious about their lives. I kind of see them as the “popular kids” of the country, and sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in what the cool kids are doing.
This is where the problem lies. If celebrities are idolized (and there’s no denying that they are), than what does that say about who we choose to admire? What does that say about what behavior we label cool or acceptable? How does that shape how we view ourselves when compared to the seemingly flawless and gorgeous of society?
If we are heartbroken for Brad and Jen, it should be because they do not know the Lord, and their divorce is just a result of that void in their lives. It shouldn’t be because they went together so nicely and they looked so pretty together, which I’ll admit I initially thought.
When we look at celebrities, we need to see them as God sees them. He sees them just like he sees that awkward kid in your class: as a person who needs to be reconciled to Him.
Moral of the story: Be careful of who you are looking up to and whose ideals you’re letting shape you. Remember, the famous are just like you and me, except that more people know who they are, and that’s not a reason to put someone on a pedestal.