THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MADONNA

In an interview with Vanity Fair, the provocative musical artist Madonna said, “My drive in life is from this horrible fear of being mediocre. That’s always been pushing me, pushing me. Because even though I’ve become somebody, I still have to prove that I’m SOMEBODY. My struggle has never ended, and it probably never will.”

You don’t have to search too long to figure out what Madonna has done to prove that she’s somebody. Like so many in our world, she illustrates what human beings are reduced to when they seek to find their ‘somebody-ness’ through their own performance. Stories like hers are seemingly endless. And it’s sad.

Her desire to be somebody is shared by all. We all have an innate sense that there’s something wrong with us which prompts us to counter it by proving through a variety of means that we are worthwhile. But this pursuit is exhausting. And it ultimately falls short. That’s why the gospel is good news.

In the gospel, we don’t fix what’s wrong with us through an endless list of achievements. Rather, God intervenes to save, heal, and transform. If I had one shot at speaking with Madonna, this is the news I’d share. “Madonna, you won’t be successful proving you’re somebody. Our problems are too severe. You need to come to Jesus. Only he can heal you. Only he can give you rest.”

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