The Youngest Targets

Years ago a Gatorade advertisement featured Michael Jordan doing what he does best—soaring all over the basketball court, dunking ball after ball. The voices in the commercial where children repeatedly singing, “I want to be like Mike.”

Do you ever wonder why so many Christians are star-struck by celebrities? Why do so many adolescents want to be sports, music, runway, or Hollywood stars instead of teachers, nurses, pastors, or carpenters? Why is the lure of celebrity so powerful? This pop culture, via the media, has made it quite clear: celebrities matter—and we are star-struck by them.

Today’s young people are targets because they want it all. They want fame because it is a moneymaking business. Money buys stuff—and lots of it. It will be interesting to hear the teens of today tell their children what they had to do without when they were kids! Children as young as five-years-old already want to change something about their bodies. Anorexia is now reported in children as young as four.

There is no doubt adolescents are particularly vulnerable to imitation. One teen said, “I see what people are saying about how [actress’s] exposed ribs make her look disgusting. But she’s about to be cast as a mega-hot bombshell in a major action movie.” In other words, being bone thin equates to fame.

Teens today say they feel conflicted by the challenges the world presents. The American dream radically differs from the call of Jesus and the heart of the gospel. They feel pulled in many different directions. The media hooks them with tempting promises: Could you be the America's Next Top Model? Which celebrity are you most like? Friends say, Do this. Parents say, Do that. Teachers say, Do it by tomorrow. Coaches say, Just do it! Celebrities say, Do as I do.
Teens who lack a basic biblical system are more likely to fall prey to the lies and deception. Best selling author Josh McDowell wrote, “Even teens from solid Christian homes and churches have distorted beliefs about God and the Bible that can have a devastating rippling effect into every aspect of their lives.” About 70 percent do not believe the Bible is even accurate.

Sadly, lyrics from songs such as “Rockstar” fuel an insecure teen’s desire to be famous: “I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame, ’Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars.” To many teens, this rock star or celebrity persona is the cure to divert the pain that normal adolescence brings. God did not create us to impersonate or obsess after other flawed human beings. The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose, which is to model to the world a truthful reflection of who Jesus Christ is and what he is like. Every Christian should be shouting, I wanna be like Jesus!

But let’s say your kid genuinely desires a career as a performer and declares, “I’ve got talent! I’m determined be a star.” Instead of berating, laying down the law, or laughing at her or him, get strategic. Dig up some stories on the Internet that back up the fact that a long-term career in the entertainment industry is hard work and requires thick skin to handle ongoing rejection. They need to know the people who succeed must deeply love their craft.

You might say, “The moment you choose to be in the spotlight, you not only give up your right to privacy, you also give up your right to live however you want. You will be held to a higher standard tha
"regular people." As a celebrity, you must realize you will be a role model to kids of all ages, which means you must choose to set a good, wholesome, godly example. Are you up to that task?”
Your child may truly be talented. God raises up many talented Christian people who eventually gain celebrity status. Relationship and developmental psychology expert, Cooper Lawrence, advices:
• Get other professional opinions beside your own family’s and friends.
• Do your best to help your child develop genuine self-esteem based on substantial personal qualities, skills and talents.
• Make sure your child is represented by a real professional who knows the industry, rather than relying on the untried opinions of the people who love them.
Parents, encourage decision-making, and choose your battles. Even if your teen is making a bad choice, as long as his or her health or safety is not at risk, let him or her follow through, suggest parenting experts, Dr. Foster Cline and Jim Fay. The kid may struggle in the process but after a while they accomplish what they first set out to do. Look at what I did!”

The bottom line is this: Identifying and learning to be with Jesus, the true Master, is every person’s calling. Jesus came so we “may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). You don’t have to be a celebrity or “special.” Jesus invites us to partake in the abundant life he offers which is for the ordinary person. He knows we are hungry and want to feel fully alive. As he feeds and nurtures us, and we spend time in his presence, we are able to model and lead our children to the fulfilling life Jesus promised.