The last “M” of MGM Studio belongs to Louis B. Mayer and the studio was formed in 1924. In May 1927, Mayer created the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The purpose of this non-profit was to advance and improve the film industry. And on this day in 1929, the first Academy Awards night presented the awards known as Oscars.
“The first event, on May 16, 1929, was mostly a dinner for 270 people at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood; the ceremony itself lasted only 15 minutes. Most winners simply accepted the trophy, but Warner Bros. executive Darryl F. Zanuck did something radical: He gave a few words of thanks, thus inventing the acceptance speech. And the ceremony began to get longer.”1
Mayer would not recognize today’s Academy Awards event! I think he would be highly disappointed with the direction it has taken.
The last event was on March 10th. It lasted over 3 ½ hours. It cost over $57 million to throw the party. The red carpet alone was $25,000 and took 600 hours for an 18-person crew to install. Those who walk the red carpet will make fashion magazines, tabloids, and social media outlets either sing their praises or ridicule them with contempt. Those who wear the least amount of clothing are applauded for being “daring” and “fashion forward.” “The average “A-list” actress spends around $10 million on their outfit ensemble. The average attendee spends $1.5 million and first-timers spend around $266,000 on attire.”2
The majority of the movies as well as actors and actresses receiving awards would not find common ground with the Christian who is walking with the Lord. In fact, the
separated child of God doesn’t find much welcome in the Hollywood lifestyle and is typically brushed off by their peers in the industry. Just ask Kirk Cameron.
Do you suppose God has an awards ceremony planned in Heaven? “The award for the best female Christian in 2024 goes to — (drum roll – dramatic pause) — Susie Sweetness!” The crowd applauds as she comes forward, acceptance speech in hand. When she is finished with her speech, the MC returns to the mic and says, “The award for the top male soulwinner in 2024 goes to — (again with the drum roll and dramatic pause) — Evan Evangelist.” Evan makes his speech. Each century, each year, each category is covered. Hey, don’t worry about how long it’s taking. We have all eternity.
Thankfully, this is NOT what is going to happen. However, there will be rewards. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 tells us, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. (14) If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
This Judgment Seat will be attended by all believers. It is not an evaluation of our salvation to see whether we “made it” or not. That was decided this side of the grave when we trusted Jesus as Savior. What’s in view at the Judgment Seat are our works.
We are not in competition with other believers. In fact, we aren’t even in competition with ourselves. There isn’t some record to break or a goal to be met. We are just supposed to live every day for the Lord. Our heart is to be consumed with the Lord and His heart.
Hollywood elites will boycott the Academy Awards and other award events, claiming they are unfair and biased. They might be right. However, God’s rewards will be 100% accurate. There will be righteousness without bias.
Without thinking of future reward, let’s just live for Jesus. Make HIM your focus, dear Christian, and give your heart and service to the One who saved your soul.
1https://variety.com/lists/every-oscars-best-picture-winner-academy-awards/
2https://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/02/29/how-expensive-is-the-oscars-event-outfit-and-red-carpet-prices-academy-awards-2024/72787966007/
Images are taken from https://pixabay.com/, https://www.pexels.com/, or https://unsplash.com/images or created in Windows Copilot. According to the websites, they are Royalty Free and free to be used for our purposes.
