Elvis has been dubbed the Entertainer of the Century. A title so duly deserved that it would be a crime to bestow it upon anyone else. However, a title so highly regarded, that hundreds of entertainers have not even stepped foot into the shadow of such and immense crown.
Elvis was more than an entertainer, though. He was first and foremost, a man. A man from humble beginnings, and a role model for everyone. We see the person on stage, wearing a sequined suit, and singing beautiful songs, the rest of us fall in love with. The Elvis we see, wasn't the man, but the legend. The man was humble, polite, and modest. For those, that never knew Elvis, or heard about his off stage life; it is more a testament of his faith and love for God that we remember the most about him, even though sometimes we don't truly see that.
Raised in an Assembly of God church in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis was the son of Vernon and Gladys Presley. His brother, Jesse Garon, was stillborn, something Elvis would never forget. He often wondered why God had allowed his brother to die and not him. It was perhaps this thought that kept Elvis as humble as he was--knowing that God could have easily allowed him to die instead.
When he was a boy, Elvis often dreamed of becoming famous. He prayed to God that He would allow him to have a lot of money one day so he could buy his parents and new house and car. Elvis was even at an early age, very generous. His father, Vernon, told a story of how he would give away his toys to other children who didn't have any. Elvis, of course, didn't have much of his own, but whenever he did he always put others above himself. This kind of love and generosity would stick with him for the rest of his life.
Elvis during his music career and over the course of his lifetime gave away more than he ever spent on himself. He truly knew the majesty of giving rather than receiving. He received many awards and had tons of accolades heaped upon him for his overwhelming love of his fellow man.
During the latter years of Elvis's life, he grew even hungrier for God and His Spirit. Spending many hours reading books, the Bible, and other sources of information to have a deeper and more personal understanding of God.
Perhaps the most telling aspect of Elvis's incredible faith in God was how he lived his life. Giving of himself and giving to others while asking nothing in return. Elvis had gained the fame of millions, and yet he stilled humbled himself before the Almighty God. That is something few of us could ever do. Elvis is not an idol and not even a hero. He's been a living example of the Living God, who can take nothing and make it into something.
Thank you, Christ's Kingdom Church for acknowledging Elvis as a loving, caring and generous Christian soul!
