Character Moment from March 28

This is the Character Moment I read on March 28, 2007.

Why is it that the world focuses so much energy and attention on people like Anna Nicole Smith or Paris Hilton? I am amazed at times by how intriguing the lives of the rich and famous can be for people. I mean, who really cares who the father of baby Dannielynn anyway? And what talent are we exactly watching when Paris is on TV? Have either of these people made our world a better place?

I sound a little critical today, and I don’t mean to, really. It does bother me though that there are a lot of positive things that go on in our world that never get the attention, while the famous can basically get a news story by simply walking down the street.

Ten years ago, there were two events that occurred in the same week, and the values of the world really stood out.

On August 31, 1997 Princess Diana of Great Britain died in a car accident with her boy friend in Paris. Even in the last few weeks there have been news stories about how there was a conspiracy to kill her and people are still demanding an investigation. The funeral was on TV and attracted the rich and famous from around the world. No one seemed to care that she was married and running around with a rich playboy.

A week later, on September 5, 1997 Mother Teresa died. Her death came at the end of a long and faithful life to serving the world’s poor and suffering people. She too had her funeral on TV and it also was attended by many famous people from around the world. Because her life wasn’t so glamorous, we didn’t take as much notice, but hundreds of thousands of the world’s poor knew they had lost a special friend.

The difference in these two people is great. One lived a life of luxury here on earth for herself, occasionally using her power and influence to help others. The other devoted her entire life to helping the poorest of the poor find peace and hope in Jesus. Her life of luxury was the reward that awaited her after her earthly life was complete.

Who had the better character? Whose life had more significance? Who had the greatest impact in the world? Who truly lived the richer life?