Paris Hilton

Earlier in the week I saw this article about Paris Hilton, which said that she now believes that God has given her a new chance and she plans to stop acting dumb and put her influence to good use. Now, the cynical side of me wants to say that this "revelation" is just another in a series of "acting dumb, but really smart" moves that have landed her the celebrity status that she now enjoys. However, for our purposes here I am going to believe that she has indeed had a spiritual experience, and is giving up her "act" and is now going to concentrate on making a difference in the world. Here's why I think this is significant to us. We have become so numb to all of the marketing hype, the hollow celebrity lifestyles, and the barrage of disingenuous people held up as role models, that it has become difficult to believe anyone is really who they say they are. In fact, when we see popular people making stupid decisions, it can actually make us feel better about ourselves. But, Jesus warned the religious leaders of his day, who thought they were better than others by saying, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?" (Luke 11:39-40) Jesus was rebuking them because they, in their "righteousness", were really just putting on a show. Jesus saw through to the condition of the heart, which was the most important matter. Which brings me back to Paris Hilton. Since I don't know her, I have no way to validate how "real" her experience has been. Also, since I have seen her "act" through the years, it makes me skeptical as to her true intentions. However, I must not give in to the lie that says this kind of change is impossible. In fact, just the opposite. I know many people who have had life altering, heart changing encounters when they have truly dedicated their life to Christ. In fact, that is THE POINT of the gospel. Jesus came "to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 9:10. The older I get and the more I know about people, the more I realize that this kind of transformational life change is a miracle. But it IS possible, and in fact, it's what God has made available to us thorough Jesus. In Mark 10:26, 27 it says the disciples asked Jesus, "'Who then can be saved?' Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'" God, thanks for reminding me to see people as You see them, as people filled with potential and possibility.