Who’s Paying Attention

In January 2023 a once-well-known pastor died. When I was in seminary and early years of ministry, Jack Hayford was an internationally known and respected megachurch pastor in Los Angeles. He was also a prolific author and song writer, who wrote the beloved song, “Majesty,” which you’ve certainly heard or sung many times. Though Pentecostal, he worked humbly, wisely, graciously, and effectively with all evangelical pastors and believers and made a huge kingdom impact across Los Angeles and the world.

Why do I mention him? Because the only news source I saw that carried the news of his passing was Christian Broadcasting Network. None of the secular media channels paid any attention, not even Fox. Once so well-known and influential, in old age he slipped into obscurity, then he was largely forgotten at his death.

Around the same time he died, some folk-rock singer died, and it was all over the news. And the latest gossip about Prince Harry and Megan Markel is endlessly shouted from the rooftops.

At first I thought to be sad. Then, no.

Jesus said that if we belonged to the world, the world would love us. But we don’t belong to the world. We belong to the Kingdom of God, which the world doesn’t recognize very well. So everything is normal.

Then I thought, what a waste it is to pursue fame or popularity, to measure oneself by numbers, to care what most people think, to want the attention of a world that’s largely uninterested in the Kingdom of God.

In his humility and wisdom, Hayford would quote what I quote here, Psalm 103:15–17:

As for man, his days are like grass,
     he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
     and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
     the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
     and his righteousness with their children’s children.

The Kingdom matters. Eternity matters. People matter. You matter.
Never forget that.
And you can forget the rest.

Be at peace, and be a blessing.