The top rated TV show this time of year is American Idol. For those who have been living under a rock it is a show all about promoting unknown wannabee singers. During the many weeks and months while it is on the air each performer gets a chance to sing in front of a panel of three judges (Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell) and then listen to their critique afterwards. Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul often side with each other and are usually nice in the way they critique the singer but Simon is another story. He is abrasive and harsh and his analogies are off the wall and often demeaning. No one is exempt from listening to his comments as everyone ends up having a bad week it seems at some point.
As the selection process continues usually the cream rises to the top and the lesser singers are weeded out …except maybe this year. 17-year-old Sanjaya Malakar is still one of the contestants remaining. He is a good looking soft singing teenager that will not go away. Each week the viewers have to watch him muddle through his song and then listen to even Randy and Paula dis him in front of millions of viewers. So why is he still in this so called singing competition? The rumor is that an underground movement is a foot to make him the winner of this competition in spite of his bad reviews from the judges. Due to this unwise movement this nice young man continues to get through week after week and causes a lot of disbelief and laughter at his expense.
The premise of the show is that the American audience knows who they want to listen to and will call or text in their vote based on who they like. Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Carrie Underwood, and Fantasia Barrino are just a few of the success stories in the years this show has been around. But if the movement to keep Sanjaya in the competition continues it may be the undoing of an otherwise thriving show.
The Bible says in Proverbs… “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.” Prov 14:12-13 (NIV)
Humans have never been perfect in judging what is best for them. We tend to be rebellious when we even know that the outcome will be bad for us. I don’t know if this show will survive this situation, but I do know that in the competition for our soul those who put their trust in God will move on eternally.
Romans 7:21—25a (NIV) So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!
BTW: Who do you think should be the winner in this years American Idol? I think it will be… Melinda Doolittle. When she was asked what her personal goals in life are she said “to represent Christ well and do everything 150%.” I kinda like that!
Roger, over and out!
