Adam Lambert Seizes the Day on American Idol

Posted by pastor joe on Apr 25th, 2009 in Blog | 5 comments

Watching American Idol this year isn’t as enjoyable as it has been in years past. Probably several reasons for that- no Taylor Hicks to laugh at, no Carrie Underwood to be amazed at, too much Paula Abdul. But I watch it anyway. And I’m finding that I am truly impressed with Adam Lambert.

Yes, he’s high school musical-ish, a little drama queeny, and somewhat feminine (?). But I think he’s got the whole competition wrapped up. I watch every week and am genuinely excited to see what he’s going to come up with. He can transform himself into almost any kind of singer, can hit notes up in the stratosphere, and has crazy command of the stage. Its his to lose with six weeks to go.

I think that’s the thing that wows me the most about Adam. He has incredible stage presence. He’s comfortable and owns his performance venue.

I was thinking about that and couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to learn something from it. That Christians needed to learn something. This Scripture came to mind, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).” Christians should be known for doing their best at what they do. Do I do my best, my very best, at everything I do, for the glory of God? Adam does his best- and its pretty amazing- do I? Am I known for some amount of excellence in the things that I do? Do I own my “stage” the way Lambert does?

The other one was this- “I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). Lambert is definitely doing what he was made to do- entertain and sing, perform in front of an audience. Do I live, work and play with reckless abandon in the creativity and style in which God created me? He put me together, stitch by stitch- am I finding his design for me and discovering how to live in the fullness of his blueprint for my life?

So, even though the show leaves something to be desired this season, I’m looking forward to what Adam will do next Tuesday and learning how to own whatever stage the Lord has for me.

5 Responses to “Adam Lambert Seizes the Day on American Idol”

marjorie says:

April 26, 2009 at 2:31 am

I am also enthralled by his performance. He has the voice, style, persona to be a good entertainer. He keeps you thinking on what he will do next. He has good head on his shoulder as well. I am sure he will do well in the next couple of weeks. I hope america makes him the next American Idol.
joe says:

April 26, 2009 at 7:24 pm

Cool- we’ll watch it together- but separately! It’ll be a fun rest of the season.
Rob Mc says:

April 29, 2009 at 5:28 pm

I wonder, Joe… the I Cor. passage says to do “…for the glory of God.” Is it at all possible to do something, anything, to the glory of God, but it NOT be your best. Curious. That verse doesn’t really say “do your best”, but I suppose one might infer from that verse to do just that. I agree that Christians should always strive to ‘do their best’. As Colossians 3:17 says similarly to “…do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” & I Ptr. 4:11 says something akin to the above as well. So the question remains, can one really do anything below his/her best and still ‘glorify God’? The end result is whether the Christian is being ‘salt’ & ‘light’. Can others see/taste a difference by the manner in which we Christians live our lives. I pray so. Soli Deo Gloria
(By the way, don’t like American Idol & don’t watch it. I’m an NCIS guy!)
joe says:

May 6, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Rob-

For me, I think it comes down to a question of stewardship. Even in an Old Testament sense. If I’m a steward of all that God gives me, and proper stewardship is an act of worship wherein all that I have/am is somehow given back to God as I daily make choices, how can less than my best glorify God? What I do might not be considered THE best by everyone, but I usually know if its MY best. And I’m pretty sure God knows…. So, I will push to the high mark of pursuing all that the Lord created me to do and encouraging those around me to do life with their highest mark of excellence. Anything less seems like we’re setting the bar low enough that everyone can make if over and feel good- you know?

Man, thanks for writing. Enjoy NCIS!
Rob Mc says:

May 6, 2009 at 6:59 pm

I agree. I suppose I was simply utilizing counterpoint to effuse the truth of your original point. Even in the sacrificial system people were told to bring those beasts without blemish (i.e., the best). I would agree that it does come down to stewardship, and finally to obedience (to which all things spiritual are distilled). Soli Deo Gloria