At the recent MTV Movie & TV awards, Hollywood superstar, Christ Pratt was awarded the Generation Award. After receiving the award he told fans to “listen up,” because he was speaking “as your elder.”  He used the occasion to recite what CNN called his “Nine Rules for Living.”  Among his rules were: “You have a soul.  Be careful with it.”  “God is real.  God loves you. God wants the best fro you.  Believe that, I do.”  “Learn to pray.  It’s easy, and its’ so good for your soul.”

Film critic Titus Techera noted that Pratt was trying to turn celebrity worship upside down. “The best celebrities can do is bear well the burden of our wrong-headed worship – not to throw it of, but gently and humorously  point us in the direction of what’s truly divine and thus worth worshiping.”  This is what Chris Pratt was trying to do  with his nine rules. In recent years, the actor has become increasingly candid about his faith.

This was his 9th rule.  “Nobody is perfect.  People are going to tell you’re perfect just the way you are.  You’re not!  You are imperfect.  You always will be.  But there is a powerful force that designed you that way.  And if you’re willing to accept that, then you will have grace.  And grace is a gift.  And like the freedom we enjoy in this country, that grace was paid for with somebody else’s blood.  Do not forget it.  Don’t take it for granted.”  The video of Pratt’s comments when viral.

The producers switched from one camera to another after Pratt’s reference to “a powerful force that designed you that way.”  Since the program was prerecorded, it could be that an explicit reference to Jesus was edited out.  While one might quibble with how Pratt articulated  his theology, he sent a clear message to a generation of young people who have come to believe the lie about their being just fine the way they are..  David French observed that Pratt was, “speaking to a generation of young people who know that something is very deeply wrong.  It’s a generation wracked by depression and anxiety in spite – or perhaps because – of the fact that they’re told time and again how perfect they are.”

As I am writing this blog, I have been listening to a new song by Lauren Daigle, entitled “You Are.”  I am weeping as I listen to the words and the passion of the music.  Please listen to it if you are feeling lost, lonely, or overcome by the negative message of our culture with regards to who you are.  It is beautiful.  Give the song as a gift to your children.  It is a prophetic message to a lost generation.  Here are a few lines: “Remind me once again of who I am because I need to know –  You say I am loved, when I can’t feel a thing  – You say I am strong when I think I am weak  – You say I am held, when I am falling apart  – when I don’t belong You say I am Yours.  – Oh, I believe what you think of me.”

Men, remember the story of Jesus and the one lost sheep.  “Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when He finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home” (Luke 15:4-5).  The Lord tells us, “Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore?  But even if mothers forget, I’ll never forget you – never.” (Is 49: 15-16 – Message).  He will not forget us.