We are pleased to bring you an excerpt from Chasing Famous by Lisa Lloyd. You might recognize Lisa from her role on Young and the Restless or from her many commercials in the Dallas area. She is also a highly sought after speaker. For the next two Fridays (June 16th and 23rd) we will share an interview with Lisa Lloyd with you so remember to check back next Friday to read about Lisa’s dramatic redemption with Christ and why she feels everyone is offered this true freedom He offers. Donna, More Than a Review
- What were you born to do?
- Who were you created to be?
- What’s the yearning deep within your soul?
What if you could live into that very purpose? This kind of living requires us to see ourselves as instruments designed to be used for the glory of God. But most of us don’t see ourselves this way. Instead, we resign ourselves to be spectators in the audience, still waiting for our names to be called-to be cast in that next big role. Of course, we all hope to be selected. However, sometimes in our desire to be chosen, we turn our focus to others-hoping they will select us. We end up auditioning for life, always striving to make the cut and gain approval.
Written by a professional actress, Lisa Lloyd, who spent years chasing after her own fame, Chasing Famous, empowers readers to be brave and step into the role God has for us-no longer seeking after our own fame, but joyfully making God’s name famous-knowing we have been selected to stand center stage and proclaim His renown to all who will listen.
Chasing Famous will help the reader:
- Let go of the exhaustion of constant comparison and embrace the unique role she was born to play.
- Unearth the insight and bravery she needs to accomplish what God is calling her to do.
- Break free from the bondage of regret and live out, with boldness, her mission in this world.
An excerpt from Chasing Famous ©2017 New Hope Publishers.
Applaud me.
Most days, I struggle to replace myself with God in the center-stage spotlight of my life. Too often I care more for the esteem of man than the fame of God. Stepping off stage and allowing God to stand in my place can be a daily, sometimes hourly, battle. Maybe for you, too.
The desire to be affirmed spills into just about any part of my life where my performance is on the line. After speaking at events, I used to want to linger in front of the stage, pretending to check email on my phone so I could hear the audience’s thoughts on my message. I wanted to know if they were challenged, if they would apply the truth I tried to speak into their lives. At least that’s what I told myself.
But if I really examined the intentions of my heart, I was more concerned with whether they liked me. And only if the answer was yes, did I feel as if I’d achieved success. Everything about the talk could have been perfect. But their opinion about my performance dictated how I felt about my job. I masked people pleasing, which was at my core, with wanting to know if they were closer to Jesus.
My audience was not an audience of One, but an audience of everyone.
When I desire to have others affirm my work more than I desire the affirmation of God, it keeps me center-stage of my life and God backstage. And I’m yoked to the approval of man instead of the fame of God.
Love me, need me, want me.
Maybe, like me, you need affirmation to feel valued-at work, at school, as a friend, as a wife, as a mom, with your body, or in your relationships. Perhaps you get a burst of happiness when you get an “atta-girl” from your boss or “you’re so giving” from the place you volunteer, or “your house is beautiful” from a neighbor. But if we make the esteem of man our true north, we’ll find ourselves lost at sea when the, “Wow, look at you!” wears off.
Logically we know if people don’t approve of us, it’s their fault not ours. I’ve impressed this upon my boys when they tell me some kid said something mean and made them feel “less than.”
“If they don’t like you, that’s their fault,” I say. “They’re just missing out on how awesome you are.” But somehow I don’t apply my own advice to myself. If I’m not accepted by whomever I’m trying to collect acceptance from, I too feel “less than.”
When we perform for an audience of “everyone”, they always want something. We can’t simply walk onstage and assume we have their acceptance. Just like a musician at a concert can’t step onstage and simply stand there. She has fans who purchased tickets and so she is expected to perform.
It seems many of our relationships on earth-friendships, our relationship with our boss, maybe but hopefully not, even our marital relationships-are the same way. In most of our relationships we give to get. Unless you’re a good friend of mine or a family member, you probably picked up this book not because you wanted to show me love but because you wanted something for yourself. I will only get your applause if you like what I have to say. Otherwise, you’ll drop this book at Half Price Books or regift it. On the other hand, if this book impacts you you’ll tell people about it. In other words, you’ll applaud me.
There’s no shame living in an “if you, then I” world, right? It’s the way we are wired. Why would I buy something that’s not going to benefit me in some way? But unlike people in my life, were I to walk onstage, God’s heart would burst with affection for me before I broke the curtain line. Not because of what I’ve said or done, but because I’m His. He’s not waiting for any great performance. I don’t have to do anything to receive His love and acceptance. So why do I pursue the applause of someone who wants me to give them something instead of the applause of Someone who’s given everything to me? Why do I crave man’s applause over God’s?
The Lord’s desire for us is to be confident in Him. To be confident in His unconditional love. So much so that we don’t need anyone else’s applause.