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“Shining the spotlight on Christ"

Kim Wier
Award of Outstanding Merit - $1,000

Kim Wier is a Christian writer, speaker, Bible teacher and radio host. As a writer, Kim has authored four books, is a newspaper columnist, freelance contributor, and the creator of the One-Year-with-God daily blog on blogspot.com. Kim also hosts Sunday Night Live!, a weekly radio talk show in Houston on KSBJ radio that can be heard live online at www.ksbj.org.  Through her organization, Engaging Women Ministries, Kim is a Bible teacher and women’s conference speaker known for her humor and ability to share Christ in creative and transparent ways. Kim has been married for 27 years to her husband Tony and is the mother of 4 grown children.

Kim's Daily Blog: www.one-year-with-God.blogspot.com

© Kim Wier 2012

For years our country has been enthralled with the drama of “American Idol” as we get a front row seat to the making of a star from beginning to end. It is fascinating to watch the transformation of timid, insecure wanna-be's into confident bold performers. I think America loves the show because deep down most people would love for the spotlight to turn on them, even if it is only for "15 minutes of fame."

Unfortunately, most use the spotlight only for a brief time of self-aggrandizement.  Imagine, though, if someone’s 15 minutes turned the spotlight on the One who really is worthy of worship.  That is what one young "idol" did this year.  Colton Dixon, just 20 years old, took his talent, his potential and his "15 minutes" and used it to declare to the world that God is the One who is worthy to be worshipped. 

In a remarkable display of restraint, this kid resisted the temptation to be idolized and instead deflected the focus toward His Savior.  I had the pleasure of interviewing him last week on my radio show and was struck by a couple of things.  First - he is so young!  That is easy to forget as we look at him and his fellow contestants through the fog of the Hollywood lights. Still, he admitted to being just, in his words, “a normal nerdy kid” – playing video games, hanging out with his friends and fighting with his sister.  He doesn’t have a girlfriend, but he does have a favorite guitar.  He said his parents are strict, but he also said he deserved it sometimes. It doesn’t get more typical than that.

What’s not normal is that even though Colton is living in the middle of his greatest dream come true, he is keenly aware that the purpose for his blessings are much bigger than himself. Through the glare of the spotlight, he is keeping his eyes, and everyone else’s, turned upward.

“I’m just a crazy Jesus-freak and I want people to see how awesome God is,” he said.

The world may want to serve him right now, but he has firmly committed to serving Christ. In talking with him, it was clear he made that choice long before arriving in the promise land of Hollywood. Whether he got his 15 minutes or not, people who know Colton would know whom Colton serves.   

God makes it clear that we have the same choice to make, regardless of our positions.  Perhaps no one has made that choice more clear than Joshua in the Bible.  After leading God’s people from victory to victory in the Promised Land, Joshua's "15 minutes" were coming to an end.  He was 110 years old and it was clear he would soon leave the stage.  You might expect him to take the opportunity to point out all his accomplishments or maybe relive his glory days. Instead, Joshua used his final moments in the spotlight to remind a nation who was worthy of worship.

“Soon I will die, going the way of everything on earth. Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!” Joshua 23:14.

The whole nation was living their dream, but Joshua did not want them to forget that it was God who put them in that position.

“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says ‘. . . It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory. I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build.” Joshua 24:13

It sure is easy to look around at the blessings we enjoy and believe that our own efforts brought about the "victories."  The truth, however, is much different.  No matter what territory we are enjoying, God can rightfully declare, "I gave you the land." No matter what "swords or bows" we wield, ultimately every blessing and opportunity in our short "15 minutes" comes only as God commands it. 
 

 “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols . . . Serve the Lord alone.  But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. . . But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15

We may never have 20 million people tuning in to hear our voices, like Colton Dixon or the attention of the whole country, like Joshua.  Yet our children hear us.  Our coworkers see our actions. Our neighbors can tell whom we serve. Every "audience" we have during our “15 minutes” should see us putting the spotlight on the only One worthy of worship. 

Printed in The Daily Sentinel, April 28, 2012  (Nacogdoches, TX)

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