Articles
The Grand Ole Opry Family
The powers-that-be of the Grand Ole Opry have a habit of surprising their new inductees onstage. Often, a legendary performer will walk out and inform the shocked newbie that the Opry is inviting them to “join the family.”
What is touching about this ritual is that the moment usually overwhelms the inductee and they -- men and women alike -- break down in tears. Such is the honor to be included with performers reaching back to the roots of country music.
When recently invited to join the Opry, Carrie Underwood said: "It has so much of my respect. And it always has. When you walk up and down the halls of the Opry, I’ve always seen the pictures of all the women who came before me that have made their mark. ... I just want to thank everybody at the Opry for having me as part of your family. ... I promise that I will do everything I possibly can to make you not regret it.”
Watching this made me wonder if we feel the same honor in being part of God’s family. Do we appreciate those who have gone before us -- the famous and the anonymous -- who have carried the torch, made sacrifices, worked diligently to maintain a visible presence of faith on earth?
Do we have a sense of history, of privilege, of reward in belonging to the family of heaven? And are we committed to behaving in such a way that the integrity of God’s family is preserved?
