Image Is Everything

Do they give an award for best lip sync performance?  Rumor has it that there’s more and more lip syncing going on in the world of musical entertainment these days, and it makes me wonder if the “art” of a “professional” (i.e. paid) singer pretending to actually be singing is working its way into acceptance.  I’ve read that the Grammys have a “no lip sync” policy, but if it is becoming accepted then it might not be long before it becomes competitive and then those who are best at mouthing the lyrics along with a recording would be recognized for their “accomplishments.”

Singers lip syncing on the biggest stages, in the biggest moments that come their way is a shame really.  In trying to reduce the risk of failure they lose the opportunity for something amazing, unprecedented, and unforeseen to simply happen.  Putting their performance in a manila folder and mailing it in like that will never be as stimulating as putting it all on the line for the chance that this might be the performance of a lifetime, where all past rehearsals and performances hit a new high, and a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime thing happens.  Lip syncing imposes a ceiling on any new highs.  It rules that out in order to play it safe, rest on past laurels, and take home the paycheck.

I would say that you and I don’t get to lip sync our way through, even if we want to.  You and I have to do more than stand there and look good.  You and I have to, or get to, go at it afresh each day, with all the uncertainties that involves, risking mistakes, embarrassment, and failure.  We also get to experience that which is way beyond the rewards of the paycheck, and that is the breaking of new ground, learning, growing, stretching, finding strength we didn’t know we had, and getting to bask in those moments that we can’t manufacture by our own efforts alone.  You know, those most memorable, “makes it all worthwhile” moments that just seem to happen.

 

Image isn't everything.  That's probably why that statement is nowhere to be found in the Bible.  The Bible is more interested in honesty and integrity than that.  Lord knows, real life is worth the risk.

Drop Everything You're Doing and Listen to Me!

It's not in the Bible.  Neither the Father or the Son or the Holy Spirit said it.  While God has things to say that are important enough to warrant such an abrupt interruption into our lives, God doesn't operate that way.  God doesn't tend to "jump" people with a "drop everything you're doing and listen to Me" unsolicited insertion into their day.
Rather, God called to Samuel, multiple times, and simply waited for a response.  God spoke to Moses, introduced Himself to Moses through a burning bush, but only after Moses turned aside to see why the bush wasn't consumed by the flames.
Jesus didn't attack people with this "drop everything you're doing and listen to Me" approach.  He said, "Let those with ears to hear, listen."  Look across the gospels at Jesus' modus operandi and you'll see the trend.  He did good and helpful stuff and then let people come and check Him out.  And if they checked Him out and weren't interested He allowed them their space.  Remember, He let the rich young ruler just walk away.  Jesus didn't run after Him and tackle that young man.  OK, granted, the way the resurrected Jesus "arrested" Saul on the road to Damascus was pretty imposing, but that is a real outlier.  I mean, after all, what's one of the main ways Jesus' character is described across the pages of the New Testament?  Humble.  That same Saul of Tarsus, aka Paul, tells us to emulate Jesus' humility.
So what to make of that and what's the point?  When you've "got the goods" and you know it; when you're in it for the right reasons; you don't have to be nervous, anxious, defensive, obnoxious, pushy, or aggressive.  When you're offering, sharing the best thing to come along in ages and you know it, you're free to be courteous, considerate, to practice the "golden rule", to seek the interests of the other before your own.  Some of Paul's best known words are, "Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way."
See what I mean?  What is in the Bible makes for really good reading!  But better yet, what is in the Bible makes for really good living.  Do good and helpful stuff and be ready to field the inquiries.