Headed for the Hall?

Visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tenn.
is probably the closest I'll ever get to being in a hall of fame.

How would you feel if one day you were nominated for a prestigious hall of fame? You pick – which one would it be? Just imagine being selected to the hall of your choice.

Annually, stellar athletes are selected for their respective halls of fame: college and pro football, baseball, basketball, hockey, even NASCAR. In the entertainment world there’s the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and others. There’s even a National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Plaques of Country Music Hall of Fame members
are displayed in a room featuring the words of the
classic gospel song, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken."

Many colleges have created halls of fame to honor distinguished athletes, students and alumni, and some high schools do the same. I was a hall monitor once at my elementary school – does that count? I’m guessing somewhere there’s a grocery clerks’ hall of fame. “There was never anyone that could stock shelves or sack groceries like ole Jimmy!”

Think about being accomplished enough, famous enough in some area of expertise, to be inducted in a hall of fame of some sort. Is music your passion? Wouldn’t it be cool being named for playing an instrument of choice? Or perhaps you’re an educator – what if you were selected to a national teachers’ hall of fame?

Most of us, of course, will never receive hall of fame recognition signifying we’re among the “who’s who” of a certain profession or endeavor. Long ago I realized how could I possibly dream of getting into a “Who’s Who” when I’m so firmly entrenched in “who’s he?” But there is one “hall of fame” that’s open to all of us.

In the Bible, Hebrews 11 presents an interesting roster of men and women singled out for God’s hall of fame. Some people prefer the term, “hall of faith.” There are the biblical superstars, like Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (later renamed Israel), Moses, Samson and David. But there are other less-celebrated “inductees,” like Abel, Enoch – “taken from this life, so that he did not experience death” (Hebrews 11:5) – Jephthah, Barak (not Obama), Samuel and other prophets.

One of the surprise entries is the lone woman cited by name, Rahab, a prostitute! She trustingly assisted the Israelite spies as they inspected the doomed city of Jericho. If Rahab could make this “hall,” there’s hope for the rest of us.

Many others are referred to, although not listed by name. What it does tell about them is a unified tale of unwavering faith. “”Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put into prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword…the world was not worthy of them” (Hebrews 11:35-38). That’s not a job description I’d be excited about!

 But the passage also makes clear they weren’t singled out for their heroics, but for one common quality: “These were all commended for their faith” (Hebrews 11:39).

Whether confronted with violent persecution for being followers of Christ, as is the case in some parts of the world, including the Middle East, Africa and China, or simply striving to pursue the life Jesus calls us to on an everyday basis, we’re all candidates for God’s hall of fame.

As Jesus promised, the “induction ceremony” will include the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21-23). That will definitely be one ceremony worth attending.

What Difference Makers Really Look Like

We live in a star-struck, celebrity-centric society. We love to hear about the comings and goings, fumblings and failings of the rich, famous and powerful. Whether top athletes, movie and TV stars, or public figures, we seem to hunger for news about what their lives are like. Who is Taylor Swift hanging out with these days? What craziness are Tom Cruise and Charlie Sheen up to? What about Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, or the latest famous-for-being-famous celeb?

Even the British royal family gets into the act. Apparently we all want to know what they’re wearing or, more recently, what they’re not wearing. (Hey, even the royals must understand the virtues of an even, all-around tan.)

Trophies tarnish, but personal
influence lasts forever.

But is being a bonafide member of the “Who’s Who” set all that important? Think about this: What are the most prestigious awards or honors a person could receive: A Nobel Prize? Academy Award? An Emmy or a Grammy? Win a Super Bowl?

List the last 10 winners of the Nobel Prize – in any category. Name the last 10 Academy Awards for best picture, best actor or actress. Who won the Emmy for best comedy in 2007? Or won the Grammy for best album in 1998? Who won the Super Bowl in 2003?

A meditation I read recently by Max Lucado brought this to mind. As he points out, after people receive acclaim for being the best in their respective fields, “the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten.”

If recognition and media attention are as important as we tend to think, why don’t we have these accomplishments etched in our memory banks?

Contrast these forgotten, fading stars with people we will never forget, Lucado suggests: Ten people who taught you something worthwhile. Or five friends who helped you during a difficult time.

You can identify these people right away, can’t you? Because they made a real impact on your life. They spent time with you, invested in you, cared for you. For you, they were difference makers.

That’s how Jesus transformed everyone around Him – He spent time with them and they observed His life. In the case of His closest disciples, it was three years, 24/7.

The apostle Paul understood the importance of personal engagement. “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). This was no hit-and-run, whack them over the head with the Bible event, but an ongoing process of genuine care, compassion and concern.

So worry if you like about how someone you’ll never meet is doing – Jennifer Aniston, Elton John, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. As for me, I’m more interested in people that know me and care for me. And I want to try being like them with others.