15 minutes of Fame?

 

“In the future, everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes.”

This quote is often attributed to Andy Warhol, but most experts do not believe he actually said it. Do you think it is true? What exactly is the definition of fame? How do you decide when someone crosses over from obscurity to fame? I would define someone as famous if they are “known” more than the average person. Some people have careers that make them famous. An actor or actress that stars in a movie or a popular television show become famous because of the sheer quantity of people that recognize them. Pastors may be well known in their communities and could have some “local” fame. Coaches, athletes, and politicians, gain fame because they are also widely recognized. 

Fame can come to people for many reasons. Mass murderers widely recognized for their evil can be famous and on the opposite end of the spectrum, Mother Teresa is “famous” for her good works among the poor. I read a comment about her fame:

“Mother Teresa regarded the global fame that accompanied her media stardom as divine providence — a means for her to evangelize and the enable her to fulfill her mission of helping the very poorest.” [1]

I was reading John 7 today and was captivated by the comment Jesus’ brothers made to him:

“‘You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!’ For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.” (John 7:4-5)

I can hear people saying that even today. I love watching public debates between people who aren’t followers of Jesus and street evangelists like Cliffe Knectel. They often make the statement, “I would believe if God came right down here and performed a miracle.” How ironic, that is exactly what the Pharisees and religious leaders wanted from Jesus. Even his own brothers thought that performing some miracle was the clearest way to fame.  Even when he did perform miracles like raising people from the dead, or defeating death himself, people still did not believe.  Jesus’ purpose was more profound than performing miracles to become famous. His fame was earned by giving up his life for others and then those people spread his name far and wide. Now two thousand years later, He IS famous.

As a member of the “priesthood of believers” it is possible to become famous and widely recognized in a community. It is always possible to gain some unexpected fame when we do good, give selflessly, or serve those who can’t help themselves. That fame is a gift only as a means to accomplish the mission of making disciples who make disciples. Even Jesus, with all of his fame only used it for the glory of his Father in Heaven. Jesus said:

“My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.” (John 7:16-18)

We are not seeking fame; we are seeking Jesus! If my fifteen minutes of fame can lead to just one person coming to know Jesus, I will praise God for that fifteen minutes. It’s not about me, it is about the one who saved me! 

[1] https://cruxnow.com/canonization-of-mother-teresa/2016/09/mother-teresa-media-camera-saw