Disappointed

Did anyone else out there grow up on Disney Channel? I really hope so, because it makes me feel a little better about myself.

But even if you didn’t, you can basically summarize their programming in one sentence: Tween stars (Jonas brothers, Miley Cyrus, etc.) tell you all about the latest rides at Disney World and how amazing their celebrity lives are. That’s basically it.

And I must admit, they sure looked like they were having fun. Back in the day of That’s So Raven and Kim Possible and Phil of the Future, I sure wanted to be a star just like them.

Think about it. All the fans. All the attention. And most of all, free tickets to Disney World! Can you get any better than that?

Well, Billy Ray Cyrus recently crushed that idea to pieces and simultaneously created a PR disaster for Disney. He told interviewers that Hannah Montana destroyed his family and that he would give anything just to have a normal family again.

For all the girls who idolized Hannah Montana, that has to hurt. Maybe being a Disney star isn’t so great after all.

But this isn’t an isolated incident. In the same week of that interview, news came out that the father of the piano prodigies, the 5 Browns, had been charged for sexually abusing his daughters. I’ve met those guys – they seemed like cool people in person. But despite the fact that they’re “living the dream,” there’s a lot of pain in their lives too.

And to top it all off, I just watched The Social Network. It’s an intriguing story, but it’s honestly kinda depressing. You find out that Mark Zuckerburg actually turned against his best friend in the process of creating Facebook, and you don’t actually walk away from the movie thinking very highly of him.

Ok, so Miley may have her own TV show. The 5 Browns may be beasts at piano (*jealous*). And Mark Zuckerburg may have 500 million friends. But the more details come out, we realize their lives are to a large degree disappointments.

Since I’m seriously considering a career in media or music, I have to seriously think through this stuff. Is the American dream that I’ve grown up hearing and dreaming about really a scam? In many cases, it probably is.

And I start to wonder, how many people end up with disappointing lives? How many of us find ourselves in the middle of stories we hate, hoping things will someday get better? And if you can’t count on fame or money or friends, what can you count on?

Then I remember the words I heard a long time ago in church. Romans 10:11 – “For the Scripture says, whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

My debate teacher would have called that an absolute universal. There are no conditions. Not “if you live a perfect life” or “if you’re a good decision maker.” It just says everyone who believes.

Tonight, I’m finding it a little difficult to believe. I’m worried about the future. Heck, I’m worried about the SAT tomorrow. And I don’t know where I’m going to end up or what I’m supposed to do with my life.

I look at the tsunami in Japan, and when you see a tragedy like that, it’s hard to believe things will be okay. When everything around you is dangerous and painful and complicated, faith isn’t an easy word.

But I know there is someone I can trust. I know there is somewhere I can put my faith that will never let me down. And in the middle of all the chaos and confusion of life, I’m going to trust him.

And I know I will never be disappointed.

laugh. love. live.

stephen

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