What did American Idol teach God’s children?

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so thatthey may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” —Matthew 5:14–16

The Lord gave his children a powerful message through American Idol this year. My husband and I tape the show so that we can watch it each week. (To be honest, we often fast-forward the parts we don’t want to see.) This year’s finale was remarkable, and I had to write about it. Jim also wrote about it this morning as well. You can read that article here.

All three finalists this year were talented singers, but, more importantly, they were evangelical Christians. What does that say about America and our values? Is evangelical faith making a comeback? What lessons should all of us be reminded of for our own lives? Are Christians being called to publicly stand for Jesus with fearless faith, unconcerned with consequences?

Keyla, Jordan, and Hannah

American Idol actually had an episode this year titled Songs of Faith. Not all the songs sung that night were Christian songs, but the three finalists all sang for the Lord and, notably, sang to the Lord.

Keyla sang Jirah. Jordan sang I Can Only Imagine. Hannah sang At the Cross (Love Ran Red). 

My point today is not to lift up these three talented people, though each of them was fully deserving of the trophy at the end. Each of these people lived for the bigger trophy they had already been promised through Christ. 

Keyla and Hannah have sons who sang the words of these songs with their moms. Jesus wasn’t just lifted up in their homes for an episode of faith music. Jesus was obviously part of their homes and their daily lives. All three contestants sang to the audience, but it was obvious throughout the competition that they were also singing for a higher purpose.

In the finale, each of these contestants sang their faith as their song of choice. Keyla sang I Love the Lord. Jordan sang, Goodness of God. Hannah sang an original song she wrote titled Married Into the Town. Her song was about living a life rich in faith and love, without much material wealth. She wrote the song and sang the song with heartfelt joy. All three of these people could have won. I believe Jordan had the greatest vocal talent. Performance-wise, Keyla had the greatest talent. Heart-wise, people were drawn to Hannah’s story, and she was the winner of the season finale. 

From my perspective, all of them lifted up their Lord, and all of them will receive their greatest blessings in heaven.

What should American Idol teach all of us?

There have been 24 seasons of American Idol, and I have often quit watching mid-season. Some of the finalists were not appealing to me. This year, I didn’t miss an episode because I was fascinated by what I saw on stage and in the culture because of the show.

As I’ve said before, God has given me discernment, and I often watched the show for what was happening in the background rather than the performances. When these three contestants worked with the various artists the show brought on as coaches, I saw these three minister to these famous musicians as they sang. Several times, one of them would say, “You took me to church!” 

I was also drawn to the face of Luke Bryan, one of the Idol judges. I found myself praying for him several times this year. Carrie Underwood has a deep faith in the Lord, and she often sang along with the songs that were sung. I would catch Luke Bryan watching her. He didn’t know the words of the faith songs, and from his face, I don’t think he truly knows Jesus. Luke’s face said something like, “I really like what I see, but I don’t really get it.” 

That is the lesson we need to learn from American Idol this year. 

Our most important witness doesn’t have words

Jesus told his disciples, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). Jesus was talking about his death on the cross; the crucial sacrifice God accepted and gave for the sins of all mankind. Jesus gave everything to bring people into a saved, restored relationship with God. 

Jesus still draws people to God today, when Christians lift him up as our Lord and Savior. Those who watched American Idol this year saw these three young people display the power of Christ in their lives. Those who saw their family members and friends in the audience saw the love of Jesus between them. Those who studied the faces of the others on the show who didn’t get it often saw the faces of people who wanted to know Jesus the way these three did.

A final lesson: Those who voted for these three showed America that there are a LOT of people in this country who wanted God’s children to win. We don’t have as public a witness as these three young people on a popular show, but we can have their courage. We can have a public witness as well. These three probably all wanted to win, but none compromised their faith to do so. Their most important witness wasn’t found in their words so much as in their quiet convictions.

What do you sing to the Lord?

When you sing in church this Sunday, will you sing for the Lord and to the Lord?. Does your public worship draw people to want to know Jesus as you do? Do people hear your conversations and wish they knew Jesus as well as you do? Do people see your generosity, your compassion, your patience, and your faith in difficult times, and wish Jesus were at work in their lives like Jesus works in yours?

Our public witness is our song for the Lord when it is our song to the Lord. American Idol drew a crowd of people toward these three young Christians who meant what they sang. We should never underestimate the power of Jesus to draw others to himself if we will just teach them why Jesus chose the cross. People around us need to know how much they are loved by the One who created them.

How will you lift up the cross of Christ today? He told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Let’s run this race, carrying our cross, all the way to the finale. We are all promised a crown when we reach the end.

Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash

A high moment in American Idol’s finale

I watched most of the episodes for American Idol this year because I was interested in following several of the contestants. I hadn’t watched Idol for several years, but this year was different. This year, several of the contestants professed their Christian faith as an important part of their life story. 

The season progressed, and last night Abi Carter was voted this year’s American Idol. Abi is one of seven children, raised by a single mom, and said she was from a “religious family.” I did a little research but am still uncertain if she would say she is a Christian. She did sing a Hillsong worship song but was careful to use the word “religious” as opposed to Christian. I agreed with the voters when it came to the quality of her voice. She sings beautifully, but interestingly, it wasn’t Abi’s win or Abi’s songs that became the high moment of this season’s finale. That moment belonged to Roman Collins and CeCe Winans.

The high moment of the finale.

Roman Collins is a 24-year-old worship leader from Long Beach, California. My great grandma ran a boarding house in Long Beach after World War II, and I have fond memories of that city! I love that Roman is a worship leader there. Sadly, he was voted off Idol before reaching the top ten. He returned last night, though, and performed with CeCe Winans during the finale. It was the best moment of the entire season, certainly the best moment of the finale.

If you didn’t watch, take the time to watch their video now. I promise, you will be blessed!

The high moment of the finale was a holy moment. I feel inadequate to describe what happened when they began to sing. I would just say that those moments had a quality about them that displayed the difference between the sovereignty of God and any idol this world might elevate.

The best voice of the entire season was the pure voice of CeCe Winans. Her voice is a gift from God, and she uses her gift for his glory. Sunday night, Roman Collins wasn’t singing to earn a place on Idol, he was singing to honor his God and bring him glory.

The crowd was awed by the performance even though many didn’t realize that it was the worship of God that made all the difference. I was especially struck by Katy Perry’s face during that time.

The difference between respect and reverence.

Katy Perry grew up in a Christian home and actually began her music career singing Christian music. There are a lot of articles that describe her change of heart and change of life. Suffice it to say, she left the church because she felt it was too strict, too narrow, and not a worldview she wanted to have. 

But Jesus hasn’t left Katy Perry. I see conviction in her eyes when someone else talks about Jesus. Her face during the CeCe Winans/Roman Collins song was a picture of someone who misses the One who matters most. Everyone in the crowd would likely respect the quality of the two voices that sang about the goodness of God. Those who understood and had experienced the goodness of God listened with reverence.

The difference between respect and reverence is the difference between evaluating or experiencing the reality of God. That difference will make all the difference in our lives and in our personal worship of God.

A perfect sermon for graduating seniors.

This past Sunday wasn’t just the American Idol finale. It was also the Sunday morning our church celebrated the graduating seniors. Our pastor, who is also our friend, was preaching a message especially designed for those graduating, one of whom was his eldest son. Pike Wisner was the student minister at the church my husband pastored in Dallas. He ministered to our two sons and helped them know God and serve him with their lives. We remember when his oldest son, Nash, was born. It was special to see him now, wearing his cap and gown during the worship service.

Pike’s message encouraged the graduates and everyone else to choose their Christian faith as their highest standard in life. He said that decision would enable our choices throughout the rest of our lives. He used an acrostic for being the “salt of the world” (Matthew 5:13).

  • S: Serve God
  • A: Abide in his word, in his Presence
  • L: Love God and others because that is the highest commandment in Scripture
  • T: Trust God’s word as the truth that will guide every choice in life

Our country is filled with people who respect God, but don’t revere God.

Our country also has some people who neither respect nor revere God. Sadly, these are some of the most visible and vocal people in our world.

Our country needs Christians to once again become the “salt and light” that Jesus taught us to be. 

Our finale is ahead.

I had written a different blog post for today, and the American Idol finale bumped that blog to next week. Next week’s blog post is about the week I spent with my mom in the hospital, unsure if she was going to survive. Fortunately, she is back home and stable! I had a lot of time to think, and I will share those thoughts with you all next week. 

As Christians we are on a journey that is as uncertain as those contestants experienced these past months. Imagine working and waiting each week to see if your entire life would change because of a performance and a bunch of random votes. Yet, for those who do not have the hope of the Lord, that’s how a lot of people feel about their futures too.

Katy Perry, those graduating seniors, and many of us at some point will become a little too enamored with the world. When the world’s idols become appealing, it’s good to remember Jonah’s words. The prophet prayed to God from the belly of the fish saying, “Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love” (Jonah 2:8).

Our finale is ahead. Jesus told us to be the salt and light of the world. Are we living our lives to win the treasure God wants to give? Are we living to bring glory to God, or are we simply performing our lives to win the votes of others? Do we want the titles given by this world, or the high and holy crown of heaven?

The choices we make will be determined by who we Serve, in whom we Abide, in how we Love, and in whom we Trust. How will you be the salt of the earth this week?

There are Katy Perry’s all around us. Let’s help them find their way back to Jesus, the joy of their salvation. God wants to use your giftedness to help others experience his reality in the same way he used CeCe Winans and Roman Collins. 

Let’s live our lives for the sake of the most important prize. Our finale is ahead, and we want to arrive in heaven as winners!