Pedestals

Think of someone you admire. It could be for any number if reasons.

• This person may be a great leader.
• They may give great advice.
• They might seem like the perfect parent.
• They may be the best at everything you would love to be good at.
• They may seem to always have “it” all “together.”

Despite his great accomplishments, “Elijah was a human being, even as we are” (James 5:17a). The Christians of the New Testament days looked up to Elijah. They placed him on a pedestal just as we often do with people we admire.

Priscilla Shirer writes that “the pedestal ascribes unrealistic standards to them. By idolizing someone, I run the risk of crippling them…I make it harder for them to freely explore the far reaches of their faith, out where they risk exposing their frailty by leaning on the grace and goodness of God…” (2022, p.17).

When I read this today, I thought of Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk. I have heard a lot of people makes statements that clearly place her on a pedestal as a woman leaning into her faith through the most horrific of circumstances. I am guilty of putting her upon that pedestal as well. The higher she is lifted onto that pedestal, however, the heavier the pressure upon her must feel.

I don’t know quite how to end this today other than to share three things.

1. The people we put on pedestals need prayer, too. They may seem to have everything “together” on the outside, but we don’t know what they feel on the inside. Pray for them.
2. We are all only human. Give yourself grace to be human while striving to be holy. Pray for yourself.
3. As I have said in recent posts, I have barely started Priscilla Shirer’s Bible study Elijah: Faith and Fire, but I can already tell it’s going to be a good one. I invite you to join me as I work my way through it. Better yet, join Priscilla on your own or with a small-group to study it yourself.

https://bible.com/bible/111/jas.5.17.NIV

Shirer, P. (2022). Elijah: faith and fire. LifeWay Press.