From My Perspective - - -
A question that is asked from time to time
is: How many famous people do you know? The question isn’t inquiring about
people of notoriety or those who are prominent in the media. The idea is in
terms of how many famous people have you met where a mutual friendship has
developed and currently continues. There is also a distinction between having
fame and being famous. Having fame is more temporary than permanent.
Fame is: “a common estimation or opinion generally held of a person or
thing; reputation.” In an attempt to draw a distinction between fame on
the one hand and being famous on the other, the World Dictionary makes this
statement about one being famous via a Synonym study that concludes: “(1) Famous
is one who is celebrated, eminent and distinguished. It has reference to someone or something widely and favorably known. (2) Celebrated originally
referred to something commemorated but now usually refers to someone or
something widely known for conspicuous merit or services. (3) Eminent implies
high standing among one’s contemporaries, especially in one’s own profession or
craft. (4) Distinguished adds to eminent the idea of honors conferred publicly.”
For a nation (USA) that has been engaged in
several Wars throughout its History, one would think that those who received
special recognition for their service rendered would be considered “famous”. However,
the best words that are accorded them are (1) Wounded Warriors, or (2) Heroes.
The outstanding heroes are the recipients of The Medal of Honor – the highest
honor that can be bestowed by a grateful nation. How many heroes have there
been that have been honored in this manner? As of October 2013, there have been
“3,480 Medals of Honor Awarded; for 3,475 Different acts of Heroism; performed by 3,461 different individuals; of whom 3,452 are
identified by name in the Roll
of Honor; (The remaining 9
are
awards to the Unknown Soldiers).”
The
Bible speaks about fame in different contexts. Those who gained fame would have
to exercise great care to remain worthy of the level of fame achieved. Three
instances are: First, Joshua 6:27, “So the LORD was with Joshua;
and his fame was noised throughout all the country.” His example of
faithfulness, loyalty and wholehearted commitment to the Lord’s purpose brought
him fame. Second, in Joshua 9:9, the fame is directed properly to Jehovah God: “And
they said to him (Joshua), From a very far country your servants are come because
of the name of the LORD your God: for we have heard the fame of him (the Lord
your God), and all that he did in Egypt,” Third, I Kings 10:1, 6-7,
“Now when the queen of Sheba heard
of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard
questions…Then she said to the king: It was a true report which I heard in my
own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did
not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the
half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I
heard.” Joshua was guarded in that his sole commitment was to honor the Lord
and to lead a nation in accordance with God’s will and purpose for them.
Solomon would have to be guarded so that flattery regarding his wisdom and notoriety
did not become an albatross to him and result in a diminished capacity to serve
acceptably before the Lord.
There is a list of
outstanding individuals who accomplished exploits for the Lord and who could be
considered as being famous. Hebrews 11 has been referred to as “The Roll Call
of Faith”! It surely is that – but – it is also much more. It is a listing of
ordinary people who were enabled to do extraordinary things because they had
faith in God and were committed to His purpose being accomplished through them.
Hebrews 11:38 contains the words that could serve as the epitaph for those who
went forward “by faith”! The words of summary are: “of whom the world
was not worthy.” So much of what is done amid the cultural
chaos seeks to gain the acclaim of one’s contemporaries. It would be so much
better if our names could be attached to those in Hebrews 11 – and – at the end
of our sojourn on earth, God’s epitaph for us would be – “of whom the world was
not worthy.” May God grant that for you/us. Consider these things with me.
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