At some point in time we’ve all been posed this question.
While it is often asked as a form of entertainment in a group or party setting,
I believe our answers to it our significant. Who we would choose speaks
immensely about who we are, where our passions lie, what we are afraid and
curious about and what we are desperate to have guidance on.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been asked to consider my
answer to that question. Honestly, I can’t even think of any of the people I
would’ve picked in my earlier years when I was asked—although the list has
undoubtedly changed. But I think for most of us though our answers would be
different each year depending on our age and life circumstances.
When we’re younger, we want to meet the heroes in the books
and movies that help shape so much of our conception of the world. Or we want to
meet someone famous like a rock star, president or someone from the royal
family. We want the chance at our own
celebrity moment and to be able to brag to everyone afterwards about who we
just met. But as we grow older and start to see more, hear more, do more and
learn more about what this life can really be—all the good and the bad of it—I
think we find ourselves more desperate for answers to the big questions. And
the chance to have dinner with anyone on earth that has lived a large, full
life and that possibly has the answers to those big questions is an opportunity
I think we would all jump at.
As I find myself a mere two months away from celebrating my
30th birthday I realize I am filled with nothing but big questions
on life and all that God still has in store for me. When I imagine actually
having the opportunity to sit down and talk with anyone on earth for a few
hours, several considerations come to mind. Like who is someone that could
teach me how to deal with the hardships, disappointments, and strings of
failures that life is often wrought with? Who could teach me how to be successful
and what the true definition of success really is. Who could teach me how to
make peace with my past and instead move forward with hope and fearlessness?
Would could teach me how to be truly happy at every moment in my life no matter
my circumstances? Who could teach me more deeply about God and how to live my
life more according to his will?
So who would my dinner guest of choice be today? There’s only one major name that comes to
mind—Mr. Elvis Presley. I know that he would not only be able to answer all of
my questions but his answers would deliver me from all the fear and doubt I am
too often burdened with. My recent trip to his Graceland home in Memphis,
Tennessee only reaffirmed that for me.
In Elvis’ short 42 years on earth he achieved more than more
of us could in 100 years. He earned countless awards and recognitions and will
forever be honored with the title of the King of Rock and Roll. But when I
think of Elvis, I think most about his compassion, generosity, humbleness, and
unconditional love for all mankind. And during this Christmas season, I have
found myself thinking about Elvis a great deal and the kind of example he still
sets for us on how to live our lives.
Most people know Elvis as one of the legends of music
history whose voice, stage presence and show attire were always larger than
life. But unlike many celebrities today, Elvis’ life wasn’t always so
grand. In fact, he had the most humble
of roots. He was born in a two room shack in Tupelo, Mississippi and spent most
of his youth dreaming of the day that things would be better. He has even been
quoted as saying “When I was a boy, I always saw myself as a hero in comic
books and in movies. I grew up believing this dream.” Fortunately for Elvis,
God did have larger plans for him and his dream did come true.
By the time Elvis finally passed onto his true home he was
known and adored worldwide but never once did he forget about those less
fortunate than him or take for granted the blessings bestowed on him. During
his lifetime Elvis gave away houses, cars, motorcycles, jewelry, clothes, and
money—many of which were personal items of his own--as though they hardly
mattered to him. He was also a frequent contributor to numerous charities in
the Memphis area and elsewhere including the March of Dimes and St. Jude’s
Hospital. Elvis also held a number of benefit concerts, including one in Hawaii
that raised funds for the USS Arizona Memorial.
While touring Graceland two months ago, I saw numerous
framed checks Elvis wrote in making donations to different businesses and
charities. Many of these donations Elvis made on the strict conditions that his
name was never to be released as the donor. Elvis understood that the point was
to do good deeds for the sake of doing them…not for the notoriety of it. Like
it is said in Matthew Chapter 6 of the Bible, “Take care not to perform righteous
deeds in order that people may see them….when you give alms, do not let your left
hand know what your right is doing.” (Matt 6:1-4)
Outside of his charitable giving, Elvis was also very much a
man of God. His spiritual journey began as a child where he listened to the preaching
and gospel music at the Assembly of God Church he attended with his family. But
Elvis’ interest in religion and search for meaning and truth in life continued
throughout the course of his life. This involved delving into the study of
numerous faith denominations and ideologies. He was an avid reader who sought
answers from books like The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran and the Impersonal Life by
Joseph Benner. And if you’ve ever heard or seen any of Elvis’ gospel
performances, you’d know that through every word of those lyrics he was seeking
and praying to God in those moments as well.
One of our last night in Memphis, I had the opportunity to tour
Graceland at night. As I was walking down the sidewalk between some of the
out-buildings, I was struck by the deafening silence of the grounds save for
the faint chirping of crickets. I found myself wondering if Elvis ever wandered
the grounds on nights as still as that and contemplated the large questions we
all have about life, love, and God. I’m not sure that Elvis found all the
answers to his questions during his lifetime, but for me, the way he lived his
life has certainly been the answer to many of my questions.
Elvis achieved an extraordinary amount of fame, fortune and
success in his 42 years on this earth. But he lived each day of those 42 years
with thankfulness for all he had as well as determination to pass on the
blessings of his life to others. He was never too wealthy or famous to share a
few kind words with a common man. He never stopped seeking out truth, meaning
and ways in which he could become a better man. Elvis is a man who nearly 40 years after his
death continues to elicit adoration, curiosity and respect by the masses. He is
the man that, given the opportunity, I would gladly sit down to dinner with and
discuss life.
