From the Pulpit

I recently read an article on CNN.com about Paris Hilton. In it, she described some new charity efforts she is pursuing now after last year’s prison debacle. Looking back on her life, she stated: “There are a lot of bad people in L.A. Before, my life was about having fun, going to parties — it was a fantasy. But when I had time to reflect, I felt empty inside. I want to leave a mark on the world.”
There is not doubt about it; she is definitely leaving her mark on the world. The question is, what will that mark be? Maybe this could be the start of a new life for Paris. Maybe she’ll become some sort of blonde Angelina Jolie, adopting impoverished children, working for the U.N., and working to bring about change in any way she can. Maybe her recent involvement with Kid Rock will turn out to be a good thing. Maybe he will be more of a positive influence on Paris.
It doesn’t really matter, though, because when I saw this article on Hilton, I couldn’t help but think about some events in the Bible and how God welcomes a challenge. I know God loves people like Paris Hilton. He loves everyone; I think He has proven that out in that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
But I also think He’s a big fan of people or circumstances that allow Him to show His true might. When God had Moses stand toe to toe with Pharaoh and all of Pharaoh’s magicians, God kept allowing Pharaoh’s heart to be hardened over and over, again and again, in order to establish insurmountable odds against His people. Then when it looked virtually impossible for the Israelites to be freed, He unleashed a wave of miracles that we still talk about thousands of years later.
He could have softened Pharaoh’s heart and walked His people out slowly and casually. Who would have noticed? Instead he built an army of resistance that gave Him the chance to reveal His power that culminated in the parting of a sea.
The same thing happened with David and Goliath. Could the odds have been stacked any greater against David? (Coincidence that a college named Davidson made it so far in the NCAA tournament? I think not.) A boy against a giant? A stone against a sword? A killer against a shepherd?
Even in the moment, David picked up on what God was doing. In 1 Samuel 17:46 he says, “Today the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.” Would the whole world have known if a really strong guy had defeated another really strong guy? Doubtful.
The chances of Paris giving her life to Christ are probably pretty slim — probably as slim as a guy named Saul who was known for murdering Christians becoming a follower of Christ. But how stacked are those odds? Can’t you just see God saying, “The girl in the sex tape? The girl with the DUIs and the jail time? The celebrity with complete disregard for anything not bathed in money? That girl, that’s the one I love. That’s the one I’m going to change with my love. Paris Hilton is who I sent my Son to redeem.”
I used to be fearful when I found myself with stacked odds, like when I learned God wanted us, as a church, to target the 99 Rock crowd. That demographic is made up of mainly 18- to 31-year-old males, which constitute the single largest unchurched group in America. I got a little sweaty.
That group tends to be a little hostile toward the church. It is like deciding to open a steak restaurant for PETA activists. From a business sense, this is probably not the best idea. When I learned that we were going to do church in a bar, I became a bit nervous.
But maybe that’s exactly how God wants it.
Maybe He’s just stacking the odds so that I, much like Paris, can leave a mark on this world. Where is it in your life that it looks like the odds are stacked against you? Maybe it’s your turn to leave your mark on the world.
Pastor Eric Partin is the lead pastor of Shoreline Church in Destin and can be reached at epartin@cox.net