The Glamorous Life...

A few years ago, the singer Fergie (who, incidentally, was raised Catholic and was recently married in the Catholic church)  had a number one song titled, Glamorous

Some of the lyrics said:
We flying first class
Up in the sky
Poppin' champagne
Livin' the life
In the fast lane
And I wont change...

The song goes on to talk about where she came from in her life and how she still has problems but is making it through the hard times.

I have been thinking about that word "glamorous" lately. It's interesting that we use that word in the formula of our Baptismal promises-- but not in reference to God. In the formula of our Baptismal promises, we are asked, "Do you reject the glamour of evil and refuse to be mastered by sin?"

Interesting.....reject the glamour of evil......

What does the word glamour mean?

dictionary.com says (and this was very interesting to study this word):

glam·our

[glam-er]  

–noun

1.the quality of fascinating, alluring, or attracting, especially by a combination of charm and good looks.

2.excitement, adventure, and unusual activity: the glamour of being an explorer.

3.magic or enchantment; spell; witchery.

–adjective

4.suggestive or full of glamour; glamorous: a glamour job in television; glamour stocks.

Also, glam·or.

Origin:
1710–20;  earlier glammar,  dissimilated variant of grammar  in sense of occult learning

 

Please note the origin of this word--- in the sense of occult learning. wow. 

 

The world besieges us with the message that we must somehow live a glamorous life. We are inundated with advertising that tells us that we are not good enough as we are, we don't have enough and that all we need is more "stuff" and we will somehow reach that illusive status of "happiness." The grass is always greener...

 

But all this is complete illusion. The truth is that glamour is illusive- for if it includes the realm of exciting and unusual activity- those things too pass away and become "routine" and they lose their charm. We can go on forever chasing the next "high" but where is true and authentic happiness to be found?  in the "next" job, the "next" relationship, the "next" party? 

I think not. 

Somehow daily life is pushed aside as only to be "endured" but in that, we are missing something great. 

One of my dear friends who is a very wise woman told me, "our daily life, our daily activities that we find boring and monotonous, those are the very things that bring greatness to our lives. It's not glamorous, but it's greatness." 

When we are faithful in the small things, those small things add up to greatness.

 

The world and society and maybe even people in our families and communities may never recognize this true greatness or say thank you, but this is the school where character, virtue and, dare I say, true happiness is born. 

As we seek to give of ourselves in service, and not the kind of service that is destructive, but the service that comes from Jesus, service that is life-giving, we enter into His life of greatness.

As we journey along the path of deeper healing and conversion- finding out who we are truly created to be-- it sets us free. Is it always easy and fun? Certainly not. But it's the stuff of greatness and completely worth the struggle. Eternally worth it all. 

 

May we embrace our true calling as children of God. May we reject sin and embrace grace and truth. 

A glamorous life? No thanks, I'd rather live a life of greatness.