February 2010

Dear Friends,

By the time you read this, millions of people will have been following the final UK series of Channel 4’s Celebrity Big Brother.

To me, the celebrity variant has been one of those rare instances in television where the sequel (or in this case the spin-off) is more watchable than the parent programme. I suppose this might be explained by the fun of watching people who assume they are really well-known slowly realising that most of those they are cooped up with actually have no idea who they are or what they are famous (or at least known) for - and so their ‘celebrity’ quickly counts for little. Before I become too smug about this, I realize that as every series goes by that the last laugh is on people like me, because I too recognize fewer and fewer of the ‘housemates’. Consequently my ego suffers with theirs: after all, how can they really be celebrities if I have never heard of them?

Some people like to be the centre of attention, but many prefer relative obscurity. The thought of being constantly on view, even being watched by millions, would be horrendous. Yet there is One who is constantly and benevolently aware of who we are, where we are, what we are doing, saying - even thinking. Unlike the producers of Big Brother He does not dream up ‘tasks’ which cause aggravation and difficulty; neither does He orchestrate voting campaigns which, one by one, lead to public eviction and, sometimes, public ridicule. By contrast He gives us everything we need, as well as free will to respond to Him however we see fit, or to ignore Him if we prefer. He has always known us and loved us, and He always will, regardless of what we do or what we are known for. The writer of an old biblical song (psalm) put it this way:

O Lord, you have searched me out and known me;
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You mark out my journeys and my resting place
and are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
You encompass me behind and before
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
so high that I cannot attain it.
Where can I go then from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there your hand shall lead me,
your right hand hold me fast.

Once the credits have rolled for the last time on Celebrity Big Brother, we will quickly forget the show and many of those who have appeared on it. But God never forgets us. May we never forget Him.

With my best wishes,

Chris Hollingshurst