Obedience and the King

     Fresh off  a trip to Memphis on the eve of Elvis Week, I have some funny stuff to tell.  And I will.  But this blog is going to be on a more serious side.
     Many years go, as I've written about before, I had an opportunity to speak with Evangelist Rick Stanley, Elvis Presley's step-brother.  Rick had gone from poverty to being the little brother of the King of Rock -n- Roll.  He went from having nothing to having anything he could imagine.  Rick wrote a book called "The Touch of Two Kings", about the King of Rock -n- Roll and the King of Kings.  I couldn't help but think about that as we walked thru Graceland.
     Walking in the front door, I felt kinda like I was walking into someone's private home, invading their privacy.  Is this is the way Elvis would have wanted it?  The decor reminded me of the Brady Bunch Movies where the family was still living in the 70s even though it was many years in the future.  This 'mansion' was not even close to the mansions of today.  Not that I've visited that many mansions lately of course.
     The kitchen was small.  Not at all what I expected.  Don't know what I really expected.  And I'm sure it was state of the art for it's day.  I couldn't help but notice the back stairs, by the kitchen, that were not mentioned on the tour.  Was that where Elvis came down to have his fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches?
     A different side of Elvis was revealed as we went to the building where his trophies, gold records and other awards were housed.  Did you know Elvis gave thousands to charities and gave concerts to raise money for those in need?  He paid bills for families who couldn't afford medical bills.  Perhaps because he grew up in poverty, I don't know.  But it was nice to learn anyway.  With all the awards displayed, you would think Elvis attended tons of awards shows and programs.  But he didn't.  He went to one.  The only one he attended was one where he was named one of the Jaycee's Ten Outstanding Young Men of America.  Maybe he wasn't always about putting on a show and getting attention.
     With all the gold records and other awards,  you might think he would have had quite a few Grammy Awards.  He didn't.  Elvis won three Grammys.  All for Gospel music.  The tour of Graceland included a recording of Lisa Marie telling of how she loved hearing her dad sing "How Great Thou Art" and how in awe she was of him when he sang it.  Did Elvis miss his real calling perhaps?  Maybe God really wanted him to reach the world for Him.  Maybe in a way, that's what Elvis did perhaps.
     It was quite well known that Elvis didn't exactly live what is commonly known to be a Christian life.  He was raised in a Christian home.  He claimed to be a born again Christian, and I have no doubt he was.  But is it possible that he died so young because he was not being obedient to the Father?  The King of Rock -n- Roll died at the young age of 42.  The Word tells us that we can't serve two masters.  We either follow the Lord or we follow the devil.  We can't have a little of one and a lot of the other.  It's either or.  Not some.  Not a little bit. Not half and half.  It's all or none.
     You've probably heard of John 3:16.  But have you heard of Revelation 3:16?  "So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."  Verse 17 goes on to tell us that people who think they are rich or have everything don't realize that they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  Elvis knew the truth when he was younger.  Is it possible that fame and fortune blinded him to that truth over the years?
     No doubt  Elvis would have done some things differently had he had the chance to do it all over again.  Obedience to the Lord would have most likely been at the top of his list.  And I highly doubt he would like it that today so much money is spent on basically idol worship, especially during Elvis Week. Flattered maybe.  But I'm pretty sure he would prefer his Lord be glorified and not himself.
     How about you?  Are you a lukewarm Christian?  Remember what the Word says about that?  Or are you living an obedient life and honoring the Lord?  He didn't say we can't have fun.  Not at all!  But if we are not honoring Him with our whole lives, are we really honoring Him at all?  Hmmmm....