What Really Matters

WHAT REALLY MATTERS

Last night was a big night for two young men named David. David Cook and David Archuleta sang in competition for the final time on American Idol--and yes, I was one of the millions of Americans watching with avid interest.

Yep, I admit it; I'm a big fan of American Idol. I love music, and I truly enjoy the competition. I get to know the contestants from the very beginning of the show, when the truly talented are painstakingly--often painfully!--weeded out from the truly awful.

It was a huge night in the lives of both of those young men. Emotions were running high, and the audience was charged with excitement.

At the same time, two candidates were duking it out in yet another round in the primary battles. The ultimate goal? The glory, the prestige, the legacy of being called the next president of the United States of America.

Pretty heady stuff. While one position will definitely have a far greater impact and role in history, the other will introduce one young man--and actually, probably the runner-up as well--to instant fame, wealth, adulation, and all that it entails.

But you know what? In the light of eternity, neither title will matter a hill of beans.

The Bible makes it clear what's really important--what will really endure, what will really stand the test of time. Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 1:14:

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity
and grasping for the wind.

Solomon may have seemed pretty cynical, but he had it right. Nothing that's done outside of God and His values, really matters at all.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus urges his followers not to worry about things like food and clothing, but to pursue the things of God:

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things
shall be added to you.

Hey, I'm not saying that we can't enjoy American Idol, or be vitally concerned about who wins the presidency. And indeed, everyone from a singing sensation to a victorious candidate to a ditchdigger can, and should, glorify God.

I'm just saying it's important to keep some perspective. Eternity is what really matters. I think I feel a song coming on:

It matters so little how much you may know,

The places that you've been, or the people you know

For it all comes to nothing, when placed at His feet

Its nothing to Jesus, only memories to keep.

Only one life, so soon it will pass

Only what's done for Christ will last

Only one chance to do His will

So give to Jesus all your days

Its the only life that pays

When you recall, you have but one life

--Lanny Wolfe, Only One Life

--Cindy Swanson

Visit Cindy's personal blog:

Seeking true beauty in a beauty-crazed world

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."--Prov.31:30

From USA Today: "This obsession with plastic surgery is an epidemic. It's lunacy! These women have had their faces rebuilt and they look terrible. It's going to backfire at some point; sadly, somebody famous and young is going to have to die on the table." --plastic surgery veteran Jamie Lee Curtis, 49, to More Magazine.

Well, guess what, Jamie? Even that won't stop the lunacy. In a society where what you look like on the outside is of paramount importance, people--especially women--will continue to pursue that image of perfection, whether it be through plastic surgery or extreme diets.

Don't get me wrong; I believe in looking one's best. As an old preacher once said about women wearing make-up: "Even an old barn looks better with some paint." (OK, that's a groaner.) I don't even have a problem with people correcting something that really, truly needs fixing.

But I do believe the plastic surgery craze is getting out of control. It started in Hollywood and it's spreading across the nation, aided and abetted by the plethora of cosmetic surgery reality TV shows. One of the most disturbing trends is young girls hopping on the plastic surgery bandwagon; teen-agers getting breast implants, etc.

It might be a good idea to do a follow up on some of these people and see if altering their appearances was the ultimate antidote they thought it was going to be.

I don't think "charm is deceitful and beauty is vain" means we should give up trying to look our best. And I don't think that means we shouldn't try to be as beautiful as we can be for our husbands. But I do think it means we need to put it all into perspective...to get our priorities straight.

When I get frustrated with the signs of encroaching age, I think about my mother.

My beautiful mother is in her mid-70's, but looks much younger. I wrote these words in a tribute to her a few years ago, and they are just as true today: "She has sparkling green eyes; a lovely full,expressive mouth...a dazzling smile. The years have been kind to her, and she is a prime example of how decades of righteous living can influence a woman's face...Years dedicated to God's service and unselfish love for her husband and children. She has the sort of radiant, luminous, from-the-inside beauty that defies age."

And that's the kind of beauty to which I aspire.

Father, I thank you for the face and form that you have given me, even if I'm not always satisfied with it. Help me to remember that I'm fearfully and wonderfully made. And help me remember that the beauty of a pure mind, a loving heart, and a soul focused on you, is the kind of beauty that cannot be touched by age. Amen.


--Cindy Swanson

Visit Cindy's personal blog:

How does your light shine?

"Not trying to be snarky... I'm genuinely curious," wrote a commenter who stumbled on my blog not long ago. "Do you only read Christian authors? It seems so limiting to me... I have spent several minutes reading your blog and it just seems like your world is limited to everything Christian. I guess I just don't understand the mindset."

The comment almost startled me. I often take it for granted that most of the regular readers of my blog are Christians, or at least sympathetic to that world view. The reader's comments were a rather jarring wake-up call for me. Non-Christians sometimes read my blog. What is it saying to them?

My life mission statement is a quote that's attributed to Mother Teresa, but is really simple, basic and clear: "O Lord, let your light shine on others through me." I have the quote taped up in my workspace at the radio station where I work. It's a constant reminder that my words and actions--whether it's on the radio, in the blogosphere, or in everyday life--are being observed by others.

I explained to the woman who commented that I do read a lot of secular books--although I admit that I love Christian fiction because it agrees with my worldview, affirms my faith and uplifts my heart.

I also showcase Christian authors on my blog, partly because I know they don't get as much publicity as secular writers, and I want to give them as much of a platform as I possibly can.

But, you know, I make no apology for the "Christian-ness" of my blog. As I replied to the commenter, "As for my blog being mainly about Christian things--well, I can't really separate my faith from the rest of my life. It's not something I put on a shelf and take off for Sunday services. It really permeates everything I say and do, and apparently, this blog reflects that.

"I sometimes come across blogs of people of other religions, or even atheists, who make that belief--or lack of belief--the main thrust of their blog. They are perfectly within their rights to do so, and if people don't want to read it, they don't have to.

"That said, I hope I'm always loving and gracious to everyone, no matter what their beliefs."

I went over to her blog, said some genuine nice things about it, and gave her a heads-up that I had replied to her comment on my own blog. She ended up posting a very gracious comment to me in reply.

I came away from the incident with a re-inforced knowledge. I need to constantly realize that non-Christians sometimes read my blog, even if only by accident. While I want my faith to shine clearly in the things I write, I also need to make sure my words--even when they're offensive to non-Christians--are seasoned with grace and love.

And not just in the blogosphere...in real, every day life as well. The old saying, "You may be the only Bible some people ever read," is more than a cliche.

If my goal is to let Christ's light shine through me, then I need to make sure it can shine as brightly as possible.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."--Matthew 5:16

--Cindy Swanson

Visit Cindy's personal blog:

Cindy Swanson

Cindy Swanson is a radio personality, voice-over artist, speaker, and aspiring writer. Cindy is the morning show co-host on 101QFL (www.101qfl.com) in Rockford, Illinois, and does the morning news for both 101QFL and Radio 91 (www.radio91.com). She hosts a weekly interview show called “Weekend Rockford,” in which she’s happy to interview many of the movers and shakers in the evangelical world, as well as many of her favorite Christian authors. Cindy also enjoys speaking to women’s groups.

Cindy is married to a Christian school administrator, and they have three grown children. She also became a grandma in 2007, to “the most adorable little boy in the world.”

Growing up as a missionary and pastor’s kid gave Cindy a unique perspective on the world. She lived in Beirut, Lebanon and attended a British school there as a child.

Cindy has been blogging since 2003 at Notes in the Key of Life, (http://cindyswanslife.blogspot.com) which she describes as a warm, personal look at faith, fiction, family issues and entertainment.

Cindy is an avid reader, especially of Christian fiction, and enjoys travel, music, and spending time with her family. Finding out she has Type 2 diabetes in 2007 has motivated her for the first time to really get serious about her quest for fitness, and regular exercise is now a big part of her life.