In the wake of CMA Fest, which took place in Nashville, TN this weekend, I couldn’t help but think about fame and how it affects our society. It amazes me how people change and get all googly-eyed when someone famous is around. I admit, I’ve been that person in the past and I still think it’s kind of cool to meet certain people that have had a great impact on my life; however, there is this odd thing with our culture and fame that causes us to treat celebrities differently, like they are “better” than the rest of us.

Have you ever heard a name-dropping match before? I have. People will go back and forth inserting names of the famous people they’ve met, seen, had a conversation with, know, etc. as if it validates them as a person to have had contact with someone famous. There are two kinds of name-droppers; the casual kind and the overt kind. The casual kind will slyly insert a story about how they were hanging out with such-and-such celebrity once and such-and-such happened and it was soooo amazing or soooo funny. The overt kind will drop the name of every single celebrity they “know” with reckless abandon in a two minute conversation to show you how cool they are.

Now, I’m not oblivious, I know I am guilty of having been that person at times in my life and for that I’m incredibly sorry! I’m pretty certain I still have moments where I fall back into that trap again, but I’m working on it and I sure cringe when I hear it from others or realize I’ve done it myself.

In the midst of the name-dropping, it makes me wonder how people would act or react in a room with that same celebrity had the celebrity never become famous. It’s an intriguing thought, right? The way people change, get all clingy and hyped up just because someone has fame is pretty disturbing really.

In my opinion, it’s a form of idolatry and it’s infiltrated our daily lives through TV, music, movies, magazines, and mainstream media. It’s a scary thought that many people know so many details about the lives of celebrities, but yet know nothing about Jesus Christ. Where are your priorities?

This weekend I had a conversation with a wonderful friend about the “ordinary people.” Those are the people that I love. Not to say that you can’t love a famous person too. They also deserve love, but let it be for the right reasons – look past all that glitz and glamor into their soul and get to know them for who they are, not for their celebrity status. They deserve that as much as you do.

It’s the ordinary people that fascinate me. It’s also the ordinary people that make me feel comfortable and welcome. The are the people that affect your life on a daily basis and so many of those people would give the world to have one simple act of kindness shown to them.

This week when you’re at work, don’t ignore the cleaning lady at your office. Say hello to the guy that fills the vending machines, flash a smile to the intern trying to get experience and work their way up the ladder. They each matter just as much as you.

Don’t forget about the ordinary people. They are essential to your daily life.