Articles
Exhibitionism
People will do the craziest things to get noticed. The latest Darwin award goes to the now-deceased daredevil who had his girlfriend shoot into a book he was holding in front of him. The bullet tore through the book and into the young man’s chest, making him famous for all the wrong reasons.
The inordinate craving for publicity is expressed in many ways: from outlandish body decoration to self-mutilation; from carnally suggestive clothing to clergy attire; from “Hey, everybody, watch this” videos to restaurant meals on FB posts. We are a society crying out for attention, resembling the attention-starved child who will do just about anything to get noticed by mom or dad. Many seek validation, sympathy, adoration or some other emotional affirmation through such antics.
What seems to be missing in such exhibitionism, whatever its particular form, is a real sense of approval from our heavenly Father. When we either deliberately reject God or fail to nurture genuine fellowship with Him, it leaves a tremendous void in our hearts. Loneliness, emptiness, vulnerability, dread and loss of purpose makes us desperate for relief. We tell ourselves that we are intelligent, innovative and resourceful enough to manage our lives without God, but such misplaced self-confidence will be exposed by the rigors of life.
Having no sense of true, heavenly love, the hurting turn to public notoriety as a cheap drug to soothe their souls. “Look at me! Make me feel relevant!” But this is, at best, a temporary high. Fellowship with God is true balm for the soul, and His approval brings strength and stability that eradicates the need for applause that evaporates within moments of the last clap.
