Fifteen Minutes of Fame

The phrase “fifteen minutes of fame” is erroneously attributed to Andy Warhol who reportedly said, “In the future, everyone will be world famous for fifteen minutes.” In today’s world of Tik Tok, Reels, and Shorts, fifteen minutes is way too long.

Psychologists say that some if not many mass shooters who end their own lives by direct suicide or “suicide by cop” may be wanting notoriety. Very sad for a soul to want a moment of fame that ends in so much loss of life, even their own. It speaks to the tragedy of today’s mindset.

And then we have people on social media getting way too close to a wild animal or hanging precariously from a cliff just to capture a video hoping it will go viral so they can cash in on the fame.

Just to be brutally honest, it is quite narcissistic to desire notoriety or martyrdom for the sake of the fame. Some potential positive things accompany fame such as money, opportunities, or a platform for your cause, but unfortunately negative things accompany fame as well.

I published a book in 2023 and I had a few friends jest that I would become famous. My reply to them was, “I would like to sell some more books, but I don’t think I want to be famous!” Being famous would bring on a whole new set of problems. I am quite comfortable in my obscurity. If you are interested in the book, click here for more information and ordering.

Jesus gave His followers several principles to follow regarding these things. Here are a few:

• “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’” (Matt. 16:24 NKJV).
• “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 16:25 NKJV).
• “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. / If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19 NKJV).

Summarizing these points, (1) if I desire to follow Jesus then I must deny myself, (2) by losing myself in Him I gain more things of eternal value, and (3) if the people of the world adored me, it would be a sign that I have leaned too far to the wrong side of the boat.

The greatest acclaim of eternal fame would be to stand before God and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matt. 25:21 NKJV).

Finally, do not be anxious about what the majority thinks about you. Concentrate on being faithful to Jesus and to that small cadre of family and friends who will shed a tear over your grave or at least express a note of sorrow in your passing. If you do that, Heaven may give you a parade at your entry.

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt