The Real Stars

Today the Academy Award Nominations will be announced. Joaquin Phoenix is a shoe-in for this nomination. And I hope he wins for his brilliant portrayal of Johnny Cash in the excellent film, "Walk the Line" (one of my favorites of 2005, along with "Chronicles of Narnia" and "Pride and Prejudice"). And I'm inclined to think that Reese Witherspoon will win the Oscar for best actress, having already grabbed the Golden Globes and Screen Actor awards.

Isn't it interesting, though, that with all the hype leading up to the Oscar Awards, by next year, many of us will forget who won. Alright, pop quiz: Who won the award for best supporting actor last year? I can't remember either.

As I think of all the stars of Hollywood, so elevated and almost worshipped by our culture, those whose lives we're fascinated with as we glance at People Magazine while waiting in the grocery line, I rewind back to a banquet we had a few months ago at the Christian Service Center. Each year we have a dinner recognizing all our precious volunteers who work tirelessly each week serving the poor. In 2005 they gave over 15,000 hours in service. Don Baber, who is here nearly every day (and comes on the weekends to put clothes left on our dock into the building) won the "Top of the Hill" award -- having worked the most hours that year...1,573 hours!

Near the end of our dinner, after handing out awards, gift certificates and certificates for the number of hours volunteers had worked that year, I gave a brief message. And I quoted a section of a book by Philip Yancey, who commented on the words of Jesus, “Blessed are the meek.” In his observation as a journalist, Yancey noted how the Hollywood stars often had such painful and troubled lives. In contrast, he described the heroes, the "stars" that he has interviewed over the years who had given up very prestigious jobs and positions in order to work among the poor in the inner cities or serve those in Africa suffering from AIDS. To Yancey, these are the true stars in God's eyes.

As I finished this quote, I looked around the room and saw Imogene Mickey, age 91, who has worked here nearly every week day -- for the past 20 years. And Bert Lana, age 83, who often arrives at our building at 7 A.M. to open up, make the coffee and wash clothes. And Gertrude Filopovich, who has faithfully been here each week the past 15 years, interviewing our neighbors with compassion and wisdom. I told them, "You are the stars in God's eyes." Right after I said these words, I choked up and couldn't speak for what seemed like a minute. It was a holy moment, where it seemed the Spirit of God had gripped me with the realization that I was in the company of champions of the faith. Then I finally told them, "I’d much rather spend time with servants like you than with the stars."

As you think of the servant-stars in your life -- perhaps a grandmother, or a behind-the- scenes servant at your church -- who comes to mind? I'm sure they'll have a greater and more lasting impact on this world than anyone who will be nominated today for best editing, sound or actress.

Jim