You watch it too. I have come to understand that American Idol is pure cheap entertainment at its finest. We pull for the underdogs and vote for our favorites. The judges banter about the audition process and make comments to the contestants. The beginning auditions are hilarious. We witness the many walks of life, the silly get-ups and the variety of sounds. The ones who nail the audish victoriously go to Hollywood. The ones who don’t go home in tears. Either way, we enjoy the show because it makes us laugh, cry and faint all at the same time. Unfortunately, there are contestant who don’t make the cut and feel that their dreams are crushed. Some kick and scream, while others respectfully walk away. Some unveil their ill feelings to the judges, while others thank them for the opportunity. All in all, this show gives people a chance for the voice to be heard - for better or for worse.

But what about the identity of the person? Our personal identity? We are all talented in many things. However, we can damage ourselves when we put our complete personhood into our gifting. Further damage is caused by allowing others to determine our self-worth - expectations. Our personhood is in Christ. The Bible says who we are, not the world. We are His kid, His child. Real life is found in the fellowship of His Spirit. Because we live in a fallen world, we are subjected to the hurts of life. The difference is, we are not defined by our past or present situation. We are defined by the Authorship of God. Our identify comes from Christ, being hidden in Him. Real life is given by the Spirit as we see our reflection in Christ. He has called us by name. He has drawn us with loving kindness. Even when the world rejects us, He holds us in His hand. We can make an idol out of many things, but these are worthless in comparison to the One who bought you and cherishes you for Himself.

“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.” - Col.3:3-5