Success and Failure Blog

Miley Cyrus has been a superstar, and a great influence on perhaps millions of girls through her hit show, “Hannah Montana.” It was recently announced that her show will end production, allowing her to go on to other things.

So, what should she do, and what will she do? That is the question a lot of girls – and their parents – will ask themselves. Perhaps Ms. Cyrus, too, is asking herself this. It’s my prayer

First, while the performer is not the character, that line is blended to a certain extent even in normal situations. Even an actor who is very well known for two roles – Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor and Ben Matlock, for instance – finds most fans associating him with one or the other most of the time.

That line is blurred to a much greater extent with Miley Cyrus, because Hannah Montana was produced to be very similar to her career. Not only that, but viewers’ ages means they will connect Miley to Hannah a lot more.

So, what should Miley Cyrus do? What will she do? Let’s look at a few things with regard to entertainment in today’s culture. Because, she has a choice to make, and should consider that she may be here for such a time as this.

What time is it? It is a time when many connect adult entertainment with vulgarity. There is little good, wholesome entertainment.

Viewers of TV and film, and readers of books, are drawn by conflict, of course. That’s not always a bad thing. The four main types – Man versus man, man versus nature, man versus himself, and man versus God – can be done in a very wholesome way. Consider the story of the Prodigal Son, for instance. The “man versus man” part is found in the actions and words of several people. “Man versus nature” is when the Prodigal struggles trying to live and eat with the pigs. (One could also include the struggle with sin nature.) “Man versus himself” is his inner struggle and decision to finally return to his father. His open rebellion, of course, is just like us, with our sin nature, rebelling against God.

I’ve never seen Hannah Montana, but I would guess that, unlike most entertainment, it is probably much closer to the model shown in Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” This is a good list to consider when focusing on anything, of course.

So, the general answer is that Miley Cyrus should focus on things in the above verse. There are certainly plenty of good parts in movies, TV series, and what have you that focus on these things. Obviously, not all characters in every story will have excellent morals. However, the key is that entertainment should focus on the fact there is an absolute right and wrong that has existed since the foundation of the world. (Whatever things are true.) There doesn’t have to be a big moral lesson hanging over every episode or every movie. Some things are just fun, or silly, or meant to project simple things. But, ideas such as people being more important than things, compassion and kindness being important, and so on should be apparent.

Take love, for instance. This is something that will likely be a big part of some of Miley Cyrus’ roles.

True love is unconditional. It is very deep. People who are truly in love give of themselves for the one they love. They accept that it means sacrifice. They give the other person input in decisions. Obviously, in parent-child situations, the relationship is different. But, the parent still considers the child’s best interests with things, not the parents’. In the same way, those who love each other are always thinking of the one they love. True love is forever. True love is God’s love.

The world’s system, however, is different. The world’s system is full of vulgar things, and the lusts of the flesh. The world’s system says to love selfishly, so that you are only trying to please your flesh. The world’s system is all about getting whatever you can take, and not caring about the other person. The world’s system is about tearing others down, not building others up like God’s system. The world’s system says love is fleeting, that it can’t last forever. But, true love is forever.

There are many things one can do, many parts one can play, while keeping true to this ideal. Story arcs can find people growing from a physical, selfish love into a wonderful, dynamic love where the couple cares for each other and always puts the other first. Individual stories can show a young couple that feels true love, but one or both are tempted to be selfish. In the end, they accept that they were wrong and recommit to each other and to that ideal of unconditional love. Those in a relationship where they are selfish toward each other can find justice prevailing, as they lose because of their selfishness. (Whatsoever things are just.) Or, the couple that feels true love can just be in a situation that doesn’t threaten that love, but instead finds them together as they experience some life event. They could be mourning a loss, celebrating something, or just something silly like getting lost on a trip. I could name quite a few other plots, where this couple is either a major or minor part of them.

Love is only one example of the things Miley Cyrus will face in her future roles. She will face many choices. She should make the decision now to commit to Philippians 4:8 as a means of testing what should be done. This means no vulgarity, true love, building others up, and many other good thigns that she can be part of in her future rules.

So, what will Miley do? A good way to judge any life choice is the “Four C’s”: 1. Consider the choice; 2. Compare it to God’s Word; 3. Commit to following Godly principles; 4. Count on God’s protection and provision.

Whether she follows this pattern is up to her. She has professed Christ as her Savior. What having Christ as Savior means is, you accept that you’re a sinner,a nd fall short of God’s perfect glory. You can’t save yourself and thus can’t get to that perfect heaven, where there is no suffering, no sorrow, no pain, because of that sin. But, Jesus Christ, God in flesh, took the punishment for your sins, just as He did for all of us, when He died on the cross, the just for the unjust. Then, He rose bodily from the dead. The only way to heaven is to receive what Christ did on the cross as having taken all the punishment for your sins.

From what I’ve heard, her testimony seems genuine. But, like everyone, she will face temptation. She will face temptation to follow the world’s system in the roles that she chooses. She will face temptation to choose lots of money over roles that may pay less, but which will keep her reputation intact.

Because she is human, therefore, her fans should focus on the One who was perfect, Jesus Christ. He was the sinless substitute for our sins. His perfect life is one we should all pattern ourselves after.

However, we should also pray for Miley Cyrus. Prayer does work wonders. The temptations she faces will be huge, and she will need the Holy Spirit inside her to guide her toward things that fit that Philippians 4:8 profile. She will need prayer to have her eyes constantly opened to the fact that she can play adult roles while still holding fast to the absolute right and wrong which she professes. She can be a great adult performer with no swearing, violence, really sensual scenes, etc.. She can have great success this way.

She will be sorely tempted, because the devil would like nothing more than to steal her reputation and tarnish her image. That could lead a lot of fans to follow after things of the ungodly world’s system, instead of after things of God.

However, hopefully, Miley Cyrus will continue to be a great example of Jesus Christ for others. As Paul Harvey used to say, “If that’s not the way to bet, that’s the way to pray.” Pray that she be encouraged to follow the Lord with everything, and not be tempted by what the world says “adult” means when it comes to entertainment. Who knows – maybe she’ll even find this blog somehow, and be encouraged. If God wills it, he can do it.

However, while Miley Cyrus is very popular, the one to truly pattern yourself after is Jesus Christ. He can help us through anything. There is no temptation which He can’t overcome, if you have his Holy Spirit in you, and He will provide a way out each time, so we don’t have to fall for sin.

This, as above, is something everyone can count on who receives Jesus and lets Him make them new creatures on the inside. And yet, when we mess up, thankfully he is just and faithful to forgive us of our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.