What Christians and Parents Can Learn From Lady Gaga

I’m beautiful in my way

‘Cause God makes no mistakes

I’m on the right track, baby

I was born this way

Don’t hide yourself in regret

Just love yourself and you’re set

I’m on the right track, baby

I was born this way

(born this way)[1]

Lady Gaga’s music isn’t in everyone’s taste, to say the least.  She’s controversial, scandalous, and downright blasphemous to some people.  Until I heard this song I didn’t like her, in fact I honestly couldn’t stand her.  Well, I admit I liked one song, I don’t know which song it was (I still don’t know the name and can’t figure it out) and I didn’t know it was by her.  If I had known it was Gaga singing I probably would have said I didn’t like it.  I thought she was annoying and frankly I judged her.  Then I heard Born This Way on Glee! and was brought to tears.  THEN I saw her on American Idol, heard what someone said (I can’t remember if it was Ryan Seacrest or Jimmy Iovene) and really got to thinking.  They said something along the lines of her being a good influence or role model for young people.  Whoa, before you get all upset think about it for a second.

Psalm 139:14 – I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

What does God’s word tell us?  God’s works are marvelous; He made us, what does that tell you?  What do many young girls think though?  What do so many young girls feel about themselves?  There is a reason that eating disorders are so prevalent, there is a reason that so many young girls dress the way that they do, there is a reason that so many kids are promiscuous; and it isn’t because they’re so confident.  I can tell you from experience that it’s desperation to fit in, to be accepted, and to feel loved.  The Bible tells us that we are loved, adored, and created wonderfully.  Society tells a different story; ladies and gentlemen, society is winning.  The lies are winning.

Back to Lady Gaga; forget about her politics for a second.  Forget about her odd (to say the least) style choices for a few minutes and keep reading.  She’s all about being herself.  She doesn’t worry about what people say or think.  She doesn’t care if she looks weird or if people put her down for wearing a meat dress, glittery lobster hat, covers her head in red lace, a bubble dress, or a dress made completely of Kermit the frog puppets.  Yes, she does some other stuff that’s just gross and totally inappropriate, and I’m NOT suggesting that those things be overlooked.

So how then can we learn from her?  Our kids were born wonderfully, they were created lovingly, they were, knit together by a loving Father.  Wonderfully created… born this way… wonderfully created… born this way… do you get the idea?  Perhaps we can focus on the fact that she is not afraid to express herself and make a statement about who she is when we look at her and talk to our kids about her.  Yes, we need to talk to our kids about Lady Gaga.  They see her and know about her and what she does.  Instead of bashing her and constantly saying how weird and wrong she is, let’s put a little spin on it and use it to build our kids up.  Our kids are constantly bombarded with messages to fit in, to be like everyone else, and they are afraid to be themselves because if they are they will be outcasts.  We need to tell our kids that it’s ok to be different from the crowd.  Peer pressure is real, and in almost all cases it’s negative.  In trying to fit in kids get into trouble, and get hurt, sometimes killed.  Perhaps if we focus on the fact that Lady Gaga doesn’t give in to peer pressure, doesn’t try to be a cookie cutter pop star, that they can do that too.  Society is winning the battle within our kids for their self esteem and self confidence.  We cannot ignore society, we cannot win against society and peer pressure by applying pressure of our own; but by talking and pointing out the good things, without ignoring and explaining why the bad things are bad.  We can help them see it’s ok to embrace the fact that they were born beautiful and created wonderfully by their Father in Heaven who takes joy in them when they are being themselves.  He created them to be unique and individual, to stand out.  They are born this way.

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[1] Born this Way, Lady Gaga. http://www.ladygaga.com/lyrics/default.aspx?tid=23592566