Each of these losts comes with one thought "did they know Jesus as their personal Savior?". It is a safe and yet very disheartening assumption to believe that Michael Jackson did not know Jesus, and his eternity is not very pleasant. This man influenced MANY of our current entertainers including Usher, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears.... just to name a few. With all the fame and fortune someone could ask for.... this man did not have what only Jesus gives... joy. This man had what the world could offer and despite the allegations and "eccentric" (as the media refers to it) life he lived with his questionable moves in life... he was idolized and supported by millions when my neighboring county and city hosted his trial for child molestation charges. I remember media people and jurors coming into the Starbucks I worked at during the proceedings, and even not violating the confidentiality of the case still had stories about this man... odd ones. This man had no joy. And it has always been evident through his public interviews and statements and the drastic changes he made to himself, which were all testaments of how he saw himself-- not good enough. He was not confident in how he looked, and yes while he suffered from two very troubling diseases, which were lupus and vitilgo (a skin pigmentation disorder), took drastic measures to completely change himself from forehead lifts, to nose jobs, to adding a clef to his chin. His dramatic changes caused media attention... and never seemed to be positive light... while his personal life became the media frenzy of attack and criticism.... his professional career was a different story. He broke the barriers and understandably the music industry and entertainment industry is mourning the loss of an influential player to the game of success and influence. To this I completely agree. Deeper though.....
No matter how hard he tried..... it was not enough and this man obviously lived in complete depression and internal agony. A man who looks like a strong gust of wind could blow him over due to his lack of weight (not a laughing matter).... hid from the media following the trial in 2005. Neverland Ranch is a mere 45 miles from my house and is an icon in the Santa Ynez Valley.... he is an example that you can have everything the world has to offer: money, power, fame, houses, cars, attention.... and still that won't buy joy, happiness, health, self-worth, confidence.
Farah Fawcet passes from her battle with cancer.... from someone who has no idea what that is like-- I can't imagine knowing it is coming.... and you wonder... did she think about much where life was after death? Is that it? We live and then we die without any purpose beyond that. Anything else beyond that?
Ed McMahon lived a long life and helped to bring many people into the spot light from Star Search and many people have this man to think for their start. His encouragement to them as they performed was amazing... and he just looked like the sweetest man. But having never met the man (nor the others), I don't really know. I can only assume.
A reminder that even in my grim of circumstances life may bring that I don't let it get me down. And God gives and takes away.... but NO ONE can take my joy. I know at any moment God can be like "Alright Caitlyn... you're done on earth.... time to come home" its a non-negotiable. I won't know the hour, way, or time.... but He does. When He is ready for me. And it is kinda weird to think about. I know where I am going... and that makes it not depressing, but shows to not fear death.... because I have eternal life in Jesus Christ. Finding my identity in that instead of worldly titles, looks, fame, fortune.... none of it is eternal. I was not born with it and I will leave this world without it. Prayerfully, God is being a comfort to the families of each of these passed away and loved ones to many. Revealing Himself as those who grieve the loss of their loved ones.... God can make the most of a tragedy by His comfort, grace, and love.
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