When pulpits become stages

I saw something interesting today. Men who were gruff and dominant moments before turned to high-pitched voices when a local recording artist walked into a funeral. They melted just like women swooned over the Beatles and Michael Jackson.

Well, not quite that badly, but comparable based on the circumstances.

But that wasn't what I learned from today's funeral. I learned that just because someone doesn't come across as 'having it all' doesn't mean they don't have anything. The gentleman that was buried today had always seemed very unassuming to me, but he was widely known in other circles.

But the highlight of the service wasn't the recording star, it was a young woman, self-professed not to be a songstress, whose sincerity and grace filled the sanctuary and everyone who was there. The artist received a standing ovation because of who he was, but this young woman received an ovation because of whose she is.

I am not used to the concept of pulpits as stages yet. The notion that anyone with notoriety can stand in God's holy place in the place of his preachers and proclaim something, then return to their own proclamations outside the pulpit.

But I am comfortable with the King of the universe receiving His proper accolades when one of his own lifts up their voice to Him, for Him and His glory alone.