standing with hope

by molly klima

If you were a teenager or tween in the early 2000s you’ll easily recall the surge of pop music that overwhelmed the music scene. Backstreet Boys and N’Sync ruled as boy bands while Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Jessica Simpson battled it out for first place. Destiny’s Child was on everyone’s burned CD’s and we knew more Eminem than our parents would like. Don’t judge me. Then there was P!nk. Short, pink hair with a leather jacket on a motorcycle. She was typically mostly clothed. Instead of singing over sexualized lyrics she was singing about her broken upbringing and declaring war against what the music industry wanted her to be. Forget the sugary pop princesses, give me an ATV with my hair in the wind.

In 2001 she released a song called “Don’t Let Me Get Me”. In the second verse she sings:

“LA told me,
you’ll be a pop star
All you have to change
is everything you are
Tired of being compared,
to damn Britney Spears
She’s so pretty,
that just ain’t me”

It might not sound like much a of slam, but it wasn’t necessarily a compliment. Britney Spears was getting thrown into insulting lyrics by Eminem at the same time. I have to tell you, I’ve never been a Britney Spears fan. I have my own critique of her music. It’s amazing what time will do, though. Now those of us who were fangirling or boying (if that’s that a thing) over those early 2000s pop and rap stars are all grown up. As time has passed and more has come to light one thing is for sure: Britney has had a tragic life and I haven’t even read her memoir.

I remember being on summer project with Cru in California in the summer of 2006. Several of us college students were in the car with a staff member talking about how Britney Spears was spiraling with all sorts of judgement. This guy stopped us all and asked, “What would it look like if we actually prayed for Britney Spears? Could you imagine if she met Jesus? Imagine the impact she could have on the Kingdom.” Of all the thoughts I’d had about Britney Sprears, praying for her was never one of them.

I mean really, who thinks about praying for superstars? They don’t know us. They seem to create unnecessary drama for themselves and glorify everything carnal. However, isn’t that an interesting thought: to actually pray for the person we are judging? Sometimes we need a crucial and pivotal reminder that everyone is made in the image of God. We know the Bible says in Matthew 18 and Luke 15 that He will leave the 99 to find the 1, but when that doesn’t fit our picture perfect scenario we tend to write it off or not give it much pause.

If we aren’t careful, we will make our own judgements regarding who is worth going after and who is not, as if it is up to us in the first place.

a look in the mirror

In October I checked off an item on my bucket list. I got to see P!nk in concert with two of my friends that I had been hoping to see her with for years. Actual years. I don’t claim to know what P!nk believes about Jesus or God. In fact, based on some of her lyrics I’d say we disagree on theology. But I have to tell you, that out of all the acrobatic acts that night and amazing vocals there was one thing that was more powerful than anything else. When she sang the throwback “Don’t Let Me Get Me”, instead of singing about “damn Britney Spears” she sang:

“LA told me,
you’ll be a pop star
All you have to change
is everything you are
Tired of being compared,
to

Sweet

Britney Spears
She’s so pretty,
that just ain’t me”

You could hear a small roar from those of us in the crowd who caught it. It almost knocked me off my feet, literally. Comparing my concert experience with someone else who saw her in a different city, we both noted this same subtle change. It wasn’t a one time deal.

Even now, I struggle to articulate the power of that moment. What was that? Maturity? Compassion? Offering dignity? An apology? A reckoning? The epitome of “everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about”? I could say it was women empowering women, but it was more than that. Sisterhood at it’s finest? Really, I just have to say I felt convicted. We are talking about how 23 years have passed since P!nk released that single.

It just makes me wonder: how many of us are walking around holding judgement or grudges against someone we need to let go of? Who are we still dragging through the mud that we need to forgive? When the world looks at Britney Spears, they see a train wreck. When you see that one mom at school drop off, that one co-worker shows up, or there’s that one awkward guy on Sunday morning…do we extend the same grace that we expect to receive? Have you made your amends?

I’m not talking about entering back into toxic relationships or condoning toxic behavior. I’m talking about remembering that every single person you meet holds the face of God. I’m talking about being spiritually and emotionally mature enough to recognize our mistakes when we make them and then course correct, or repent, as we like to say in the church. To repent is to turn away from sin and express guilt for what we’ve done. It’s the decision to alter our destination and re-route after an acknowledgement that we’ve faltered or caused harm.

Imagine a world where we, as followers of Christ, are able to humble ourselves and admit our mistakes. Humility and forgiveness is part of following Christ just as much as anything else. Colossians 3:12-13 says, “Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothes yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so must forgive all others.”

Would you be willing to stand on a stage in front of tens of thousands of people and admit your wrongdoing? Are you willing to go to the person you’re holding a grudge against to forgive them, whether you deem them worthy or not? Are you willing to let go of your sense of power and pride for the sake of others?

There’s plenty of ego to go around. Humility, repentance, and love? We could all use more of those.