In today’s world we are enamored with celebrity culture. We “follow” movie and TV actors, spend loads of money on concert tickets, and idolize “bigger than life” sports figures. Many parents, who never realized their own dreams of achieving fame, have high hopes that their children will reach celebrity status… in football, dance, drama, or music

Is this truly the best we can hope for when it comes to our children…for them to be famous? Will that make all of our, and their, dreams come true? It certainly is attractive and exciting to think of our child as, a rising star on the big screen, the next great NFL quarterback, or a competitor on “So You Think You Can Dance”, but will the trappings of celebrity bring our children true inner peace, lasting joy, and fulfillment? (which, if we are honest, is what you and I really want for our kids)

Of course there are some celebrities who have been able to walk in integrity and faith, using their platform to speak the name of Jesus to the watching world, but there are many more who have gone down troubled paths of drug addiction, eating disorders, alcohol abuse, and suicide.

My point is that we, as parents, need to focus on developing our children into confident Christ-followers who will use whatever talents they have to bring glory to Him… and we need to stop glorifying celebrity culture. 

We need to allow our children to dance for the joy of it; to play ball for the fitness and camaraderie it provides; and to sing with abandon even if no one is listening.

Let’s stop putting pressure on them to reach higher and higher levels of success or renown. Being famous isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be and usually comes at a high price. And parents, it’s time to give up your dream of being a celebrity by proxy! Instead, be a great mom, a great dad, a great friend, a great employee, or a great boss.

Focus on raising your children to be responsible, hard-working, kind, selfless and confident adults who understand who they are in Christ and that Jesus is enough. Teach them that it is through him they will find true inner peace, lasting joy, and lifelong fulfillment.

Help them to understand that celebrities are just people–sometimes very troubled ones–and that there are so many other every day people who deserve our honor and respect, such as: our men and women in uniform, police officers, elderly veterans, physically and mentally challenged people who have overcome great obstacles, and let’s not forget missionaries in the field who risk their very lives to further the gospel of Christ.

Train your children to love, honor, and glorify God above all else…and to idolize no mere human…not even Beyoncé or LeBron James!

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)

“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles…They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator…” Romans 1:22,23,25 (NIV)