I just left a medical office where the Today Show was blaring. Miley Cyrus had a guest appearance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Show last night. Miley’s most recent self-destructive escapades include parading herself topless in public settings. She told a story of a recent opportunity to meet the legendary musician, Paul McCartney. Miley, bare-breasted in the conversation with the former Beatle, boasted that her naked bosom was a great equalizer. She was nervous meeting the rock and roll music legend. Her exhibitionism made McCartney even more nervous. Miley boasted that she had trumped McCartney in the conversation.
The Today Show hosts were giggling with celebratory sensationalism as they discussed Miley’s most recent immodest scandal. The waffling weaklings of television celebrated Miley’s "right" to self-expression with relativistic prattle about Miley’s doing "what’s right for Miley."
Jordin Sparks, the 2007 winner of American Idol, followed the Miley story with a live interview promoting her most recent project. The conversation inevitably turned to the "Miley" storyline. Sparks, who rocketed to stardom with a squeaky clean teen idol image, echoed the hosts’ relativism with her own nonsensical version of "You’ve gotta do what’s best for you!"
I sat in the waiting room saddened by the brokenness of youth, plagued by sin, and Hell-bound for personal self-destruction.
Miley Cyrus has been exploited since childhood. Childhood stardom is a curse that one should never wish upon one's own child in our media age. Undoubtedly, her exploitation included adults using and abusing her to the point that she views herself almost exclusively as a sex object to be exhibited in one shocking portrait after another. Such a whoredom is inevitably based in this young woman’s having been victimized as a child. Our voyeurism perpetuates her victimization.
How must I respond?
I cannot respond with relativistic, nonsensical prattle that rattles nihilistic emptiness: "You’ve gotta do what’s best for you!" Miley’s exhibitionism isn’t good for Miley! It’s a scream for help from someone who doesn’t even know how to scream! It’s a cry for deliverance and hope from someone who has no hope beyond the shock value of the moment.
I cannot respond with voyeurism. Our entertainment culture howls at us to gaze at people’s private pleasure and private pain. Curiosity wins! I just looked.
Wrong.
I must respond with compassion. Surely, Miley’s behavior is wrong in every way. Such a conviction does not label me a hater! It labels me as compassionate and caring. The media celebrate her painful exploits, making money hand over fist at Miley’s exploitation. At some point, you and I must cry, "NO! STOP!"
Compassion requires concern for a fellow human being who is hurting, broken, shattered, and crying out for a little bit of attention in a desperate quest to mean something to somebody! Compassion requires human decency. Compassion demands that you and I care for broken, hurting people of all shapes and sizes, both beautiful and appalling.
Dear God, I am praying for a shattered young person right now. Her name might be Miley, or Susan, or Keesha, or Becky, or... She is crying out to be noticed. Her unhealthy cries come from a place inside of her that has been corroded by sin--others’ sins against her, and her own against herself. I cannot help but be reminded of Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan. Bring her to a place of repentance, redemption, and wholeness. Extend hope. Give her a new identity. Define her through right relationship with Yourself, Creator God. And, oh yes, help me to care enough to show compassion to my neighbor. Amen.
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