I was recently reunited with someone who made it really big in Hollywood. When I originally met this person she was just getting started and was a writer/editor for a very small Tennessee Valley authority magazine and her tiny little salary was, well, pitiful. To her credit she worked hard and became a very successful screen writer and later producer of television shows. You would easily recognize the many successful television shows that she has created. Although I have never watched any of them, I am aware of how popular they are and that she has reached the top of her profession. She has made some “serious” money and received numerous awards for her excellent skills and creativity; a nice combination.
When I first met her, (before she made it big), she and I talked extensively about how to improve her career, and I gave her a few ideas and words of encouragement. When we ran into each other recently, it was apparent that she did not remember me; however, when I mentioned her writing for that magazine and our conversation that day, she got a weird look on her face and wistfully remarked that her career had significantly changed since those early days.
Candidly I liked her a lot more when she was not rich and famous and flying around in a private jet. When I first met her, she was very likable, sincere, humble, and had almost a childlike innocence and enthusiasm about her. She now seemed obviously quite enamored with herself and seemed tough as nails and “hardened”, which no doubt comes from the years of fighting and clawing her way through the Hollywood hills. I am told that the business that she is in is cutthroat and backstabbing and only the strong survive. She seemed to fit right in.
Not long ago I got on a plane and took my seat and several minutes later a young lady got on the plane. She was the last person on board and made a big dramatic production when she came aboard and everyone on the plane was watching her. I looked up from my newspaper and she held her arms out wide and looked me right in the eyes and exclaimed; “Well I guess you are the lucky one; you get me!” She then plopped down in the empty seat next to mine. She was dressed in what I suppose could be considered “high fashion”. I’m sure it was designed by the “flamer” of the century and cost a lot of money, but honestly she looked like she came from another planet, and I felt like asking her “to take me to her leader”. I wouldn’t have wanted one of my little granddaughters wearing that outfit to a “snake fight”.
It turns out she had just finished taping one of those television shows in Hollywood where she competed for several weeks with several other girls to become a high fashion model and had won the entire competition and was headed to New York to begin her career. Aside from her ridiculous looking attire and heavy makeup, I was impressed with her charismatic, yet childlike and innocent personality. She seemed like a really sweet little girl. Although she was disappointed that I had not watched her competition on television or even heard of it, she gave me a photograph of herself before departing the plane. I wished her well and whispered a prayer for her in the hopes that she would survive the perilous days ahead.
Everything I have read indicates that the high fashion model industry is perhaps even tougher than the Hollywood hills scene. I hope this sweet little girl does not harden like my other acquaintance after being exposed to it, and I hope she will not allow pride to destroy her. Staying humble when enjoying tremendous success is not an easy feat.. Too many take themselves far too seriously after achieving some success. I read one time that the ultimate in life is to be, “Loved by children and admired by intelligent men and women”. I have always liked that goal.
As always we can look to Jesus. If ever anyone deserved adulation it was Him, the King of Kings, and yet He came to us being born in a manger in a barn in humble circumstance. He did not tell everyone how much better he was than everyone else. He told us that He was gentle and humble. and His message was simple and His burden was light. He entered Jerusalem riding on a simple donkey instead of a chariot adorned with emeralds and gold. He washed the feet of His disciples instead of vice versa. Jesus said that whoever wanted to be first, must be last and He exemplified the serving spirit that He wants us to live. He sacrificed His own life in order that we might have life.
The Bible teaches that “pride goes before destruction”. When I begin to swell up like a peacock over some accomplishment, I try my utmost to remind myself just how silly that line of thinking really is. My hope is in God and that he will deliver me, (all too often from myself)
Psalm 39:4
Lord make me to know my end,
And what is the measure of my days,
That I may know how frail I am.
Indeed, You have made my
days as handbreadths,
And my age as nothing
before You;
Certainly every man at his best
state is but vapor. Selah
Surely every man walks about
like a shadow;
Surely they busy themselves
in vain;
He heaps up riches
And does not know who will
gather them.
And now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in You.
Deliver me from all my transgressions