By Bobby Buffington

Back in 2009 I had an awesome opportunity to be in a movie. It wasn’t Hollywood, just a regional production, but it did play on the big screens at the theater. I had a really small cameo that I was offered because I had the keys to a place they wanted to film. The day of filming was really fun. I was even given a line, “Calm it down buddy.” And oh boy you better believe I acted the bananas out of that single line.

The next six months were filled with anticipation as I told all my friends about the movie that we could go watch in theaters, with me. In my conversations with them I started by telling them about my one line, and by month five I think some of my friends may have thought I was starring in the film from all my excitement.

When the night finally came to premier the movie, I had gotten two full rows of friends and family to come watch me in my movie career debut. We watched an hour and forty-five minutes of movie until finally my scene came… and ended very quickly. In total I had about 14 seconds of screen time, and my line was cut from the final production. It was a very humbling thing when the movie was over to have to turn to my friends and family and realize that I was not the star (though to be fair, they still loved it, and it was cool seeing myself on the big screen).

We all too often have the same level of hype about our own lives. I know when I look at my life, all too often I’m the star of the show and the entire world should know it and adore me.

But Jesus literally is the star of the show. He created the set, wrote the script and directs every line. Yet this same Jesus said words recorded in Mark 10:45 that are so interesting: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus had every right to be treated like a celebrity, but instead treated everyone he loved that way instead.

When we become a church and a people that realize we are not the stars of God’s beautiful show, we will empower ourselves to serve radically, love unconditionally and see the world transformed for God’s glory.