Has Taylor Swift finally found love? Is Tom Hiddleston off the market? The inquiring minds of the Internet want to know…and they aren’t happy! Why? Internet fans think the whole relationship is just a publicity stunt!
Now, I can’t imagine that Taylor Swift or Tom Hiddleston need more press. But, I suppose that even famous people can be dissatisfied when fan numbers aren’t peaking. So, is it possible that the love interest between these mega-stars is staged? Possibly. But Hiddleston’s producer and Swift’s friends have taken to social media to reject that idea. They say it is for real.
To be frank, this is a problem most of us will never face. Most people will never be asked, “Are you just going out with that person to increase your brand or marketing efforts?” Yet, I suppose, that in smaller ways, many people do go out with each other as an outward show rather than as an inward feeling.
The same is true of our relationship with God. In fact, dating God as a publicity stunt is probably one of the oldest versions of the Swift-Hiddleston conundrum. Is your union with God real? Or is it just for show?
In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul said, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you– unless indeed you fail the test?” Many people fail the relationship test. They just want to “be seen” with God. They think it is good for their business or friendships. They think that pretending to be with God is a great publicity stunt.
On the contrary, feigning affection for God isn’t appropriate, in any form. There is no faking it with God. Otherwise, our faith is just a publicity stunt for earthly fans.
God knows our hearts. He wants us to be a spiritual bride, giving ourselves completely and for the right reasons (Rev 19:7, Ephesians 5:22-33). When we are His, we are His completely, for real…and for the right reason – as an expression of our true love.
