“Worthy is the Lamb,who was slain,
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and praise!”

Revelation 5:12

Who were your heroes growing up?  Was there an athlete, tv star, or media figure that you really thought a lot of?  Was there someone that you pursued in your heart and wanted to be like when you grew up?  Was there a person you worshiped?

As I was contemplating this question, only one name popped into my head.  Brace yourselves: it was Princess Diana.  My idol worship began on my 11th birthday, when I spent 10 hours in front of the television watching Lady Diana Spencer become the Princess of Wales.  And, in my defense, what 11-year-old little girl wouldn’t be swept away by the fairy tale of this woman’s life? The dress, the horse-drawn carriage, the pageantry of it all.  It was what dreams are made of.  

As I grew up, she became a fashion icon as well.  I poured over magazines and pictures to “ooh and ahh” over what she was wearing to her many social events.  Oh, to be a princess…

But it didn’t take long as an adult to see the other side of her life, and to become disenchanted.  

How about all of you?  Have you ever held another person high on a pedestal only to be disillusioned upon getting to know a little more about the inner workings of the lives?

My friends,  there is only one person worthy of our praise and worship.  He was the perfect Son of God, and the One willing to die for each of us so that we might be saved.  

When I think of the time, money, and effort I have spent over the years to come into contact with people of interest (celebrities, athletes, authors, Mickey Mouse…)  I am saddened by my superficiality.  Because I know that I rarely pursue my Savior that way.    I am thankful for our current sermon series because it is pushing me to examine my life and my priorities.  And I am beginning to ask myself, “Who do I really worship?”  This could be a long month…

Gracious Lord,

You are my Creator and my Savior.  I owe everything I am and everything I have to You.  Forgive me for allowing mere people to take Your place in my heart.  Bless me with Your holy presence, and teach me to trull worship You, and You alone.

In the name of Jesus I pray,

Amen