What the Oscars Taught Me

“God, I love Moonlight so much! I’m so excited for Moonlight! And of course, it was an amazing thing to hear La La Land. I think we all would have loved to win Best Picture. But we are so excited for Moonlight. I think it’s one of the best films of all time. So I was pretty beside myself.” -Emma Stone

It was their time. After months of speculation, media darling La La Land finally received it’s Oscar for best picture. While the cast and crew celebrated a job well done, the news came. There was a mix up. They weren’t the best this year. The moment they dreamed of, worked for, and were able to taste, was abruptly ripped from their grasp. This was to be the year of a small movie, Moonlight, to bring home the most prized trophy in Hollywood. Can you imagine the emotional roller coaster?

In listening to the response of one of La La Land’s actors, you would believe that Moonlight was indeed the better movie. This made me think, are we so gracious in defeat? How do we respond when all we worked for and expect, become fading dreams crushed against an unjust reality? I love what Emma Stone did, she took the focus off her and put it on who she believed deserved to be celebrated. At her own cost, she chose to lift up another body of work which was in many ways a competitor to her. And I know, this is Hollywood and she is sure to have loads of money to soak up her tears, but if I learned one thing in my life it is that the most successful and wealthiest among us are often the most insecure and therefore the stingiest with their praise.

As believers, we have to learn creative ways to celebrate those around us, even if it means we lose something in the process. Jesus, lost His life and His will for our promotion and as His followers, we must be ready to do the same. When we take the last seat on the ego bus, we live out a faith that relies solely on Christ to provide justice and what we need. So, who are you celebrating?

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3