I watch very few TV shows. I’m just not interested in most of what’s on. But the other day, I saw a clip on American Idol that did more than just capture my interest. It changed my life.
It was one of the audition episodes, where hopefuls appear before the judges, perform a short musical selection, and hope or pray that the judges decide the performer deserves a golden ticket, signifying that he or she has been allowed to advance to the next round of competition in Hollywood. Most of the auditions were standard fare—some good, some not so good. One of the good ones, by Chris Medina, was the one that stood out to me.
The reason it stood out wasn’t his singing, though he sang very well (and advanced to Hollywood). What made his audition remarkable was his story. Chris’s fiancé Juliana had been in a car wreck two months before their scheduled wedding date. The accident left her with little control of her body, unable to walk or talk without help, and even then, not very well. Chris explained that he had been prepared to make his vows to her when the accident happened, and asked the rhetorical question, “What kind of man would I be if I left her when she needed me most?”
After Chris’ audition, the judges invited him to bring Juliana in. She sat in her wheelchair as Chris pushed her into the room. She was leaning sideways. Her body shook. Her facial expression was wooden. But as the judges left their table and came to greet her, I was captivated by the look on Chris’ face.
He was proud.
Yes, proud. Proud of her as she was. Unable to sit up straight. Unable to talk. Unable even to change the expression on her face.
He loved her, even the way she was.
What changed my life was realizing that that is how Jesus feels about me. He loves me, and He’s proud of me, despite all my defects. He feels the same way about you. Though you and I have no merit of our own that would deserve His love, and though everything about us might seem to indicate that we’re unlovable, He still loves us.
He loves us, despite our physical limitations. Despite the fact that He does most of the giving and we do most of the receiving. Despite the fact that according to the world’s standards, we may not be much to look at.
And there’s something even more remarkable than that: He’s proud of us. Just as Chris was proud of his fiancé even when presenting her to some of the world’s biggest names and most famous people (the judges), God is proud of us. “She’s Mine,” He says. “She’s my beloved, and I’m proud of her.”
It would have been easy for Chris to be ashamed of his fiancé. Maybe even embarrassed. It would make even more sense if God felt the same way about us. But He doesn’t. Incredibly, amazingly, He doesn’t. Rather than be ashamed of us, He rejoices in calling us His own.
It’s the most memorable illustration of God’s love I’ve ever seen. And yet even as incredible as this love is, it is but a fraction of the love God has for you. Despite everything.
God loves you. He loves you. And He’s proud.
Hebrews 2:11-12—Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”