The Gospel of Lady Gaga

Like millions of other people around the world, last night my wife and I watched the 87th Academy Awards. For the most part, the show was pretty routine. But one of the elements that DID stand out was Lady Gaga’s “The Sound of Music” medley.

Quite simply – it was phenomenal.

I saw a lot of Christians on social media talking about how much they loved it. Not just liked it – they LOVED it. But it’s not just because you have to love The Sound of Music in order to be a good Christian (that’s a given).

The real reason for Christianity’s overwhelming exclamation of affection for Gaga’s performance was aesthetically driven. Let’s be honest – there are probably a good many conservative Christians who don’t really listen to Lady Gaga but only know her from photographs and media coverage.

And, once again, let’s be honest – Lady Gaga’s image has been notoriously odd (perhaps even disturbing?).

But last night the world was treated to something different: a very presentable Lady Gaga singing beloved songs.

The end result is that many people stopped looking at the exterior and finally listened to the woman’s vocal talent.

It reminds me of a story in the Old Testament when the prophet Samuel is looking to anoint the future king of Israel. As he’s judging the sons of Jesse, he picks potential kings based on how they look. God has to remind him:

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

In our lives we judge a lot of things by how we perceive them with our eyes. But the way we see things isn’t necessarily the way God sees things. I’m not just talking about people – this can include situations in life. When we are quick to judge and to hold onto those judgments, we miss out on what is happening on the inside.

So take a step back from your evaluations. Re-evaluate if you have to. Look at the deeper qualities in people, in life. Try to see things from a divine perspective and find the value within that is covered up by mere appearances.