Lindsay Lohan Goes to Jail

As Lindsay Lohan began her much publicized jail sentence this week, I was reminded of a quote from comedian Jim Carrey, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.”

Hollywood is filled with fallen celebrities that provide us with rich teaching moments that money, fame and success isn’t everything. Pastor Bill Shuler added his 10 thoughts on the Lindsay Lohan case and the culture that "enables her" that should prompt meaningful conversation among us but more importantly good topics to think about next time we look at the mirror.

The following are his thoughts:

1. Enablers including family, friends, and the Hollywood industry should be held accountable.
2. Celebrities are not above the law and are increasingly less likely to be excused for ignoring it.
3. Bad company reaps bad character.
4. An industry that encourages former Disney stars toward soft porn and abandons them when in trouble deserves to be scrutinized.
5. Fame carries with it responsibility and should never be an end unto itself.
6. Emotional pain is at its core a cry of the heart.
7. Alcoholics Anonymous has a proven record of success and touts a spiritual awakening as the answer.
8. Healing begins with humility.
9. Transparency opens doors once locked by alibis and rationalizing.
10. History is filled with examples of individuals who parlayed their lowest moments into their greatest victories.

Christian actor/author and former child star Kirk Cameron in his autobiography Still Growing (available in the Colson Center Bookstore) had a taste of the limelight and had this to say about his past: “I was experiencing all the success the entertainment industry has to offer, but I knew there had to be something more. It was sort of through that God prepared me to hear about His great plan.” Only God knows if Lindsay Lohan will be in the same path as Cameron or if she will use her time in jail for deep personal reflection to discover God’s great plan for her; if it does, going to jail is the best thing that could have happened to her.

(Originally posted on The Point blog)