In the eternal words of Catholic School Diva Mary-Katherine Gallagher (given life by SNL actress Molly Shannon), “Sometimes when I get nervous, I stick my hands under my armpits like this, and then I smell them like this.”
At some point in life (for whatever reason in whatever venue) many of us entertain thoughts or even fantasies about being a SuperStar. Maybe it’s because we’ve always dreamed of thanking the academy, raising our rock fists, or holding a Heisman, but we’ve perhaps all imagined being at the top of some celebrity food chain. I’ll be honest, if my life plays out like I hope and I become and Emmy award winning Reality Show Host or the next Regis Philbin, then I’ll gladly accept ABC’s offer to be a star on the 2020 series of Dancing with the Stars.
The Bible has a bit to say about what it really means to be a star. Not the Jack Nicholson or Mick Jagger kind of star, but the Christ follower kind of star. Philippians 2:12-15 reads:
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.
Well there’s a suitcase that needs some unpacking. Here’s what we chatted about at our “5 Star” 5th Wednesday of the month event last night at Dock@1810.
First off, Paul is writing to his church family from prison. He’s pretty stoked that they have kept the faith and continued to walk with Christ in his absence. Let’s be honest parents. You like it when your kids are respectful and clean up after themselves at home when you’re around, but the icing on the cake is when they do that other places where you’re nowhere in sight. Paul is complimenting the early church’s position on following his teachings and living as Christ especially when he’s not able to be there serving as overseer. Rest assured that we talked to students last night about representing moms and dads well when moms and dads aren’t around and about living their call to follow Christ away from church walls and the eavesdropping ears or student pastors and interns.
Second, Paul invites the church to continue to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. Okay, does that mean they “get saved” every day? No. But it does indicate that the regenerative properties of the Holy Spirit’s work in us are continual. The way to be tuned into understanding your salvation and walking that out in daily living takes intentionality and fear. Not fear like Nic Allen’s fear of snake or Kraft singles, but fear as in awe and worship.
Then the wise sage apostle reminds the crew to “do everything without complaining or arguing” which A: is super awesome advice for living and B: one of the hard core ways we represent well who Jesus is to an unbelieving world. It’s when we live that way that we’ll actually become blameless and pure but also that we’ll look that way amidst a generation that operates in crookedness. This section ends by saying that we’ll shine like a star in the universe. Our role as the church, as a body of believers, is to be a shining star. We are to illuminate the story of God’s redemption to the world. When we live that out, everyone can see us shine. Everyone can also see us when we fall. So there’s a certain responsibility that comes with right living and a certain fear that accompanies it. The way that we operate as employers, employees, spouses, parents, children, students, friends, people, etc. is to tell the story of God’s love and life-changing power to the world. Now that is a superstar worth being.
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