Last October, a family got in the news for trying to get in the news. They claimed that their son was trapped in a home-made flying-saucer balloon that was flying through the air, only to find out later he had been hiding in the attic. In the media frenzy that followed, it came out that this family had staged the whole thing as a publicity stunt. It’s amazing to me what people will do for a few minutes of fame. On television, people will embarrass and humiliate themselves in unbelievable ways. The TV show “American Idol” is full of people trying to get fame any way that they can. A few years ago there was a young man that couldn’t sing,(William Hung) but because watching him try so hard was funny, he got national attention and even recorded three albums made a video and appeared on various talk shows. That he didn’t seem to be in on the joke was the saddest part. He didn’t seem to understand that people were laughing at him. (And now there's General Larry Platt who similarly doesn't seem to understand that he's the joke, or maybe he just doesn't care.)

We all crave love. We were designed for it. However the love we were designed for comes from God, family, our church and real friends. But the love of the public is as lasting as the snow we got in South Texas this week. Public attention is not real love, and people who pay attention to you because you are famous are not real friends.

The crowd demands entertainment, but they have short attention spans. Christian group Barlow Girl has some good things to say about this. Whether it's fame, popularity or just peer pressure, the love of the crowd isn't worth it. In the fantastic song "5 Minutes of Fame" they sing,

“I always said the thing that meant the most to me was my very integrity. Who would have thought I'd ever trade it all for popularity? 'Cause the truth is though I've made it to the top, I'm anything but satisfied. I gave up the only thing that mattered for this empty life.”

Popularity and fame, whether it is in your school, your neighborhood, or the whole country is fleeting and empty.

Paul warned the Christians in Rome about those who are trying to mislead them. “Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people” (Romans 16:17b-18). Not everyone who sings your praises has your best interest at heart. Be careful who you listen to. “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps” (Proverbs 14:15). Do what's right, not what brings the most applause.

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Look around. Who are your true friends? One person has said that a true friend is someone who comes in when the rest of the world is going out. True happiness cannot be found in the fleeting praise of the crowd. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).



Thoughts? Stories? What other Bible verses apply?