Life Exposed

As if the tragic life (and subsequently tragic death) of Anna Nicole Smith has not been enough fodder for the media circus so far this year, we are now made to wade through the locks of Britney Spears' latest exploits. Another apparently tragic life in the making is being media-exposed and thrust into our awareness through virtually all forms of human communication. TV, radio, internet, phone, text messaging, even around the water-cooler, one can hardly get away from it even with considerable effort to do so. Can you imagine living your life in such a way that even when you cut your hair, it makes worldwide headlines? That is a level of exposure I'm fairly certain no clear-thinking human being would want to have to endure.

On occasion, the media can be so incredibly invasive into the lives of real-live human beings. Eager to get the scoop and beat the ratings over the next channel or magizine, the media Piranha will devour without hesitancy and frequently without just cause. Surely you've noticed that retractions take up little column space and are often hidden behind the next day's headline.

This is not to say that Ms. Smith and Ms. Spears (both surnames I share in my family background by the way) are not somewhat responsible for the "circus" that is their story. There are many celebrities that never "enjoy" these levels of exposure and will continuously put forth considerable effort to keep it that way.

What is interestingly contrasting to me is how all human beings on earth are equally known and equally live exposed lives. Our exposure is not to the media however, but to the Creator. Things both Smith and Spears have done that the press may never discover or disclose are known by the One who created them both. He knows the hearts of all men and women and what mankind will value as "newsworthy" and celebrities will use as means for self-promotion, God likely sees as shameful and sad.

Isn't it interesting to consider God knows every "scoop" on us, but He will never use it to exploit, demean or malign us? Instead, God uses the "dirt on us" to call us back to Himself and to encourage us to live a life of holiness by His grace through Jesus Christ.

I celebrate that my entire life is exposed to God and I am happy I can trust His use of the information. I know my "secret sins" will not make the primetime airwaves and that makes me quite thankful and moved to pray for those who's lives are so portrayed.

What are your thoughts on the matter?