There’s no more coveted a prize in Hollywood than an Oscar. Portman has one. Where is it? She hasn’t a clue.
When the interviewer asked if her Oscar was with her in Paris, Portman said:
“I don’t know where it is,” she says. “I think it’s in the safe or something. I don’t know. I haven’t seen it in a while.”
Why?
“I was reading the story of Abraham to my child and talking about, like, not worshipping false idols. And this is literally like gold men. This is literally worshipping gold idols — if you worship it. That’s why it’s not displayed on the wall. It’s a false idol.”
This beautiful, wealthy, influential, politically complicated, intelligent Israeli born American actress-writer-producer is also a mom who reads to her child from the Torah.
She’s teaching him to have a Biblical worldview and to live as a God-centered person in a very me-centered world.
At the conclusion of the article in The Hollywood Reporter, the interviewer admits that he still considers Portman a stranger.
In response to a question about missing L.A. (she now lives in Paris), Portman revealed that while those around her might covet being known, she isn’t.
“I like being a stranger in a place. You’re kind of an outsider, and I think that’s what makes you. It’s the only way I’ve ever known.”
Those who have ears to hear will recognize the Biblical allusion. Most will miss it. Living as aliens, foreigners and strangers in the world is the reality of those who know that ultimately their home is not one built by human hands. I don’t know if that’s what Portman intended in her comment, but if it is, I don’t want us to miss it. In Hollywood as an Oscar winner who regards the gold statue as a false idol, in Paris as a Jew amidst rising anti-Semitism, a dual citizen in the kingdoms of the world and a dual citizen in a Kingdom yet to fully come, Portman is a complex living demonstration of God’s people.
Where she would likely turn to the stories of Abram who becomes Abraham, Daniel and stories of faithful living in the midst of exile, I would turn to First Peter for instruction on how to live as God’s person in an ungodly culture. Consider today how God is calling you to live authentically as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven first, sojourning in this world that He so loves. What’s the “Oscar” in your life that needs to be forgotten in order that God can be more fully honored?
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I read the entre Reporter article on Breitbart. Portman is a precious soul, but she’s still learning, as we all are. Being in the performing arts, or in the media, or other secular endeavors often times inhibits our ability to fully express our religious beliefs. She’s wrong on some issues, but most of us didn’t have a deep understanding of Holy Scripture until our 40’s or 50’s. The news is so dire, I too feel like running or hiding; the future looks bleak until the Lord delivers judgment. In the meantime, we should/must all strive to be faithful witnesses of Holy Scripture and Lord Jesus.
Now we know the reason for the sudden publicity by media on Portman. Breitbart today announced Portman will portray her hero, the frail and elderly Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ginzburg. Gays, leftists, progressives, Marxists, are already talking ‘Academy Award.’