Having Convictions ...

My daughter and I have been watching a show on Oxygen called, "The Glee Project." It's a competition to get a part on the very popular show, "Glee."

We've enjoyed watching the show together, talking about the different contestants, sharing our likes and dislikes, etc. One of our favorite contestants is Cameron.

We like his voice, his awkwardness, his looks, and his beliefs and morals. These last items are what has drawn us to him the most. Cameron is a Christian and several times on the show, he's been asked to kiss another contestant or do something else that is not in line with his beliefs. Despite the consequences, Cameron has pretty much stuck to his guns and held his convictions.

SPOILER ALERT!!! DON'T READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED THE 7/31 EPISODE!!!

We really thought Cameron did a great job on the last episode. Again, he was asked to kiss a contestant and he said no. He just didn't feel right. The theme for this week's episode was "sexuality." This was a hard week for Cameron, because he believes that sexuality is something that belongs in the context of a committed (and, I'm guessing marital) relationship. Long story short, he was in the bottom three for the final part of the show. He had to sing in front of Ryan Murphy, the creator of "Glee."

After his lovely performance of "Blackbird," Ryan asked him about his beliefs and how they might make it difficult for him to act in a show like "Glee." Cameron said it has been difficult for him and probably would continue to be. We definitely got the feeling he was quitting.

Ryan, in a move he hasn't done before, went and talked one-on-one with Cameron, telling him that he really thinks he could write a special part on the show for Cameron. But, ultimately, whether he stayed or left the competition was up to him, Cameron. Cameron said he had been thinking a lot about it and he decided it was time to go home. He just felt he couldn't go over that line in the sand he had drawn and there were too many other qualified candidates to stand in their way.

So, he decided to leave the show. Ironically, Ryan told him that in doing that, he saved another contestant, Damien, who happens to be one of Cameron's best friends on the show. I couldn't help but think about the Christian idea of laying down our lives for our friends.

While I think, if chosen, Cameron could have had a profound impact on reaching many people who watch "Glee," showing a different side of Christianity than we are perhaps used to seeing, I also greatly respect this young man for having convictions and holding on to his beliefs no matter what.That's hard for any of us, let alone a young man like him.

For me, it really made me think about what I believe and what I'm willing to stand up for because of my beliefs. What is the "line in the sand" that I will draw, over which I will not cross? What about you? What are the things you believe so strongly in that you are willing to lay everything on the line for them?

We don't live in a world that always values or lifts up those who have strong convictions. So, seeing a young man like Cameron do it, does give us pause. Again, what would we do? Would we be willing to give up a potentially lucrative career and future even if it meant leaving our beliefs and convictions behind? How many of us do this on a daily basis?

Having convictions, standing up for what you believe in, these things are not always easy.  But, they definitely make you a stronger, more respected, integrity-driven person.

So, thanks, Cameron, for reminding all of us of how important this is. I, for one, plan on remembering it for weeks to come.