MAY 22

1 Corinthians 11:1
Memorise Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice”

As the name suggests, pop culture refers to the trends that are currently popular in our society. This is something that constantly changes, as what is trendy and mainstream now, will probably not be as cool in 20 years’ time. These trends would include fashion, lingo, music, media, internet culture, and other ideas, attitudes and mind-sets. Due to the widespread influence of mass media, today’s youth are heavily influenced by what the world deems as trendy and fashionable in the world today. They idolize celebrities and see them as role models to emulate. They admire the lifestyles of the rich and famous, and have this perverse fascination with discovering every bit of gossip about them – the more scandalous the better!

Michael Jackson is a name that most people are familiar with. This so-called King of Pop, lived a life that most people could only dream of, or so it would seem. His unnatural death was shrouded in controversy and laced with rumours of drug overdose. Even in his life, there were signs indicating that his image of himself was warped and distorted by discontentment as evidenced by skin bleaching and multiple facial reconstructions. Towards the end, Michael Jackson bore no resemblance to the person that he was before. The lives and deaths of many other celebrities are equally depressing and nothing but a sad story of sin and hopelessness. How do people who could have had everything their hearts desired end up in such tragic circumstances?

Despite all that, it is sad that Christian youths today choose to follow the lives of these celebrities and immerse themselves in the popular culture of today, rather than to follow Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:11 clearly tells us that as believers, we ought to take faithful and godly men like Paul as our examples. Insofar as they follow Christ, we ought to follow them. How sad it is, when youths put up posters of all these ‘idols’, pay so much to watch their concerts and buy their merchandise, and yet give little heed to the servants and followers of Christ. Their source of joy is from the entertainments of the world, and not from following Christ. We must realise that these celebrities and pop stars, though their lives seem to be so glamourous and enviable, are nothing without Christ. They live lives of sin headed to destruction. Will you follow them there?

Thought: Do I follow Christ or the world?
Prayer: Help us O Lord to put our trust in Thee and in doing so find true joy through our Lord and Saviour Jesus.