American Idol

I don’t know how many of you are American Idol fans, but I presume at least SOME of you are since it’s so popular. Well the whole synopsis of the show from beginning to end is this: People audition because they think they can sing and they want to be famous. Viewers watch the show and laugh at some, and enjoy others. Then viewers vote for their favorites. Pretty simple, nothing real spiritual going on there, just another TV talent show, right?

Well I actually have my own theory on American Idol. Let me show you the pattern I am seeing:
Season 1 winner: Kelly Clarkson. She’s a Christian.
Season 2 winner: Ruben Studdard. He’s a Christian.
Season 2 runner up: Clay Aiken. He’s a Christian. (Have your opinions on that one if you will, but he claims to be one and I believe him.)
Season 3 winner: Fantasia Barrino. She’s a Christian.
Season 4 winner: Carrie Underwood. She’s a Christian.
Season 5 winner: Taylor Hicks. He’s a Christian.
Season 5 top 5: Chris Daughtry. He’s a Christian.
Season 6 winner: Jordin Sparks. She’s a Christian.

Is anyone else seeing a pattern here? Every season’s winner is a Christian, and some of the people who do NOT win but still become really popular are Christian too. I’m sure you can come up with some reason that you believe each of those people are NOT a Christian, because it’s so easy for us to try to judge what makes someone “good enough” at life to be called a Christian. But I’m basing the above statements on what THEY claim about themselves. And you could argue that most Americans claim to be Christians because there are a lot of churches here, but what I’ve encountered is that when it comes down to it, most people in the mainstream would be ashamed to call themselves followers of Christ, and the above people are not. Yeah they might write songs about love or relationships or whatever, but they let Christ come out in some of their lyrics too, and I respect that, especially since their music is being purchased by TONS of people.

And there’s more to my little theory (which I have not yet presented) than Christians winning every year. Sometimes we think being a Christian means we’re against abortion and go to church and that’s the extent of it, but we miss out on a huge part of our calling when we leave out those other things Jesus tells us to do, like taking care of orphans, feeding and clothing the poor, loving our neighbors as ourselves, and doing for “the least of these."

Now I’m not saying American Idol is a “Christian” show, but they are certainly doing a lot to live out those Biblical standards of caring for people, even if it’s for no other reason than a moral obligation and just knowing in their hearts that it’s the right thing to do. They raised $76 million last year during “Idol Gives Back” to fight AIDS and malaria in Africa, provide housing and education to orphans in Africa and here in America, and the money was used to help lots of other people in various ways. And this year through “Idol Gives Back” they had raised $22 million by the end of the 2 ½ hour show, and probably way more even now 2 days later. We might want to condemn the show because it’s not “Christian” or it’s not on the Christian TV station, but they are helping do a lot of good in the lives of “the least of these."

Not only THAT, but they are proclaiming the name of Jesus on the show! Okay maybe it’s not the judges or the host telling people they need Jesus, but His name is being spread through the music. A few weeks back was “Dolly Parton” week, and at the end of the show she performed a song called “Jesus and Gravity”, which talked about how she keeps grounded in life: She has Jesus lifting her up, and gravity holding her down. So basically Jesus is what keeps her going, but reality also keeps her humbled. It was great.

And then this past week “Idol Gives Back” had many guest appearances performing, and one of them was Mariah Carey. I almost wanted to just mute the TV, (no offense Mariah, just not my style), but in the first verse I heard something about Jesus. So I started paying closer attention, and in a part where she wasn’t singing I heard a man’s voice in the background saying, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you, trust in me” or something like that! Then this choir came out and she was singing with them about how we need the Lord’s strength to get us through life, it was amazing. The song was called “Fly Like A Bird,” and it’s a Darlene Zchech song.

And THEN, to end the evening all the Idols came out wearing all white and sang “Shout To The Lord”! It was AMAZING! “Let every breath, all that I am, never cease to worship You… Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name… Nothing compares to the promise I have in You…” Dude. Do you have any idea how many non-Christians heard that? Whether it’s people who don’t really think much about God, or they’re atheists, or they’re other religions, or whatever. And American Idol is aired all over the world! The name of Jesus was literally being proclaimed all over the world. It was such an emotional, moving experience. Whether or not those singing on stage believe in Jesus I don’t know, but I do know the who God is and His promises were declared for millions to see and hear, and for THAT I am ecstatic.

So, my theory is that God is using a secular show, a show looking for an “Idol” (and God wants no one to make an idol but just to worship Him), and He is using the show to proclaim His name all over the world. Whether it’s through the actual TV show playing Christian music, or it’s through the contestants and winners and THEIR music, He is making Himself known through the TV show American Idol. I’m not telling you to watch it, but I am encouraging all of us to think outside the box. Sometimes God doesn’t just use things branded “Christian” to make himself known to the world, but He uses the things OF this world to reach those THROUGHOUT the world.

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Ashley