REFLECTIONS

Currency

Bono is a rock star. His concerts draw thousands to hear him each year. Patrons scream and dance in delight to his music. His group, U-2, is known around the world, and from it Bono has become a world-wide celebrity.

Celebrity status rolls out red carpets at airports arrivals and opens doors that reach world leaders. In their own way celebrities gain influence whether or not their cause is worthy. Admirers want to become a part of what celebrities represent. Sometimes celebrity status comes from a position of wealth, but almost always it carries a position of influence.

Celebrities are often associated with the influence they have beyond the arenas they are celebrated. Sports stars raise money for charity, and Academy Award winners take political stands. Bono takes a stand for Jesus Christ.

“This thing called ‘celebrity’ is currency,” Bono says. “And if I am blessed with this form of currency, then I should use it to bless the One who blessed me.” And he does. Bono has used his position to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world; and he has used his position to gain access to powerful people. He uses his “currency” to inspire world leaders and to challenge churches throughout our land to serve the impoverished parts of our world who suffer with starvation and disease. From his “currency” Bono enjoys a position of influence. But he also recognizes it as a position of responsibility.

Most of us live simpler lives with much smaller spheres of influence. Most of us feel blessed to live as we are where we are without the burdens that accompany the status we call “celebrity.” But we are all celebrities to someone. In our own ways, each of us has a sphere of influence—people in our lives who role out red carpets when we arrive, or open doors for us to reach people of greater influence. We all have followers and admirers that want to become a part of what we represent. They are our currency.

There is a stage you play on even though it doesn’t draw large crowds or make headlines. God has blessed you and me with “currency” to make a difference. Like Bono, we have “currency” to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the world around us. It is the currency of influence. More importantly, it is a currency that carries a responsibility.

And it is a currency that affords us the luxury to give all that we have.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org

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