Miley Cyrus’s VMS performance has gone viral. Even if you didn’t know who Miley Cyrus was I’m sure you do now because of all the “letters to Miley” the outrage by Christian parents, the jokes, and non- stop gossip.
As I scroll through my news feed I see lots of opinions, condemnation, pity, warnings, and frustrations over the actions of this young girl. Although her actions were unbecoming to say the least, the REACTIONS of people within the Christian community astound me. Writing letters to Miley Cyrus? Really?
We sound like a bunch of holier than thou “don’t get your sin on me” jerks. As a Christian community it is time to INFILTRATE THIS CULTURE. It’s time to shut up and STEP UP. You cannot hide from this world and seclude yourself in your seemingly safe little church small groups. You can’t blast on Facebook and then do nothing to make a difference in your own life. That fact alone is why non believers are REPELLED by Christians. Because all we want to do is scream that this world is going to hell in a handbasket, yet we refuse to change ourselves.
“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:11-12
It never ceases to amaze me how shocked everyone is after every worldly event like this. As if it isn’t to be expected? Janet and Beyonce at the SuperBowl. Madonna, Britney, and Christina Augilera at the VMA’s, Lady GaGa and Marilyn Manson. Do I support any of this or think it’s OK? ABSOLUTELY NOT. But rather than add fuel to the fire of the debauchery, I’m going to add fuel to the fire of MY WALK. If anything, when you see something like that you should step up your game in your ministry (your life).
THIS IS OUR WORLD. This is the way it is and has always been. So, what are you doing about it? Hiding, ostracizing yourself, and running in your little cliques isn’t going to cut it. We are to be in this world but not of this world. A light in a dark place. A source of love and hope and STRENGTH.
Our world is the same as it was in the Old Testament. It’s the same old thing, just dressed up in a different outfit. Take a look at Joseph and Daniel. They lived in pagan Egypt and Babylon. Hello? Yet, they rose to high stature and were used of God to bring change. It didn’t happen by them living out a vanilla Christianity lifestyle and writing letters to all the pagans.
It’s time for Christians to ENGAGE THE CULTURE. We should be setting the tone and creating the best music so that people want to copy us instead of the other way around. Instead of viewing Hollywood as evil and celebs as “sad” we need to get in there and act as a Joseph and a Daniel. We should be rising up in areas of business, media, and politics and building relationships so we can influence. This is what Jesus did everywhere he went.
So before you get on the bashing Miley bandwagon or writing her a letter of “exhortation”, look at your life. When’s the last time you had a non believer over for dinner? Would you even allow it? When’s the last time you had a bible study with DIFFERENT PEOPLE in it. Do you pay attention to anyone other than those in your “church group” ? Who are you impacting every day with your life? Most importantly, how are YOU transforming so that people will ask you what you have?
Be different. Be set apart. Be willing to love people and show them light. I know it’s hard. No one said that it wasn’t going to be. This is A WAR. Are you fighting it every day with the love of God or just complaining about the world being the world. Use this event to propel you into action. I wonder what would happen in Hollywood if we had more Christian agents, producers, managers, and assistants. People that show love and truth in love. People that encourage celebs to use their influence for God. Maybe that’s supposed to be you.
“Dear Children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
So stop concerning yourself with Miley. Concern yourself with who you can impact today. It’s time to rise up. The world is waiting….
~Lindsey Nadler
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