Cause for Pause
Ed McMahon, Entertainer, Died June 23rd,
Farrah Fawcett, Hollywood Actress, Died June 25th,
Michael Jackson, “King of Pop” Singer, Died June 25th,
Billy Mays, Infomercial Pitchman, Died June 28th,
Karl Malden, Hollywood Actor, Died July 1st,
Steve McNair, Football Athlete, Died July 4th
The deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson both on the same day, about 48 hours after Ed McMahon died, stunned America (and other parts of the world) for more than just a moment. Shortly there- after the death of Billy Mays, Karl Malden and Steve McNair followed. These were all societal icons that many grew up with in their younger years, or they represented some level of prominence among the mainstream. Regardless of their past lifestyle or character, the recent death of these fairly well known cultural celebrities necessitates some cause for pause.
Although we might speculate on the eternal state of these men and this woman that have gone into the earth, we cannot affirm with absolute certainty, just as those who never heard the last words of the converted criminal on the cross could know that he would be with Jesus in Paradise (cf. Luke 23:43). Assuming the most dreadful of outcomes, we would be remiss to exult in their passing as the Lord GOD Himself has “no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies” (Ezekiel 18:32a). If they went to the grave without saving faith in the one and only mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ, then their judgment will lead to an everlasting separation from their Creator resulting in torment that exceeds even our worst imaginations. This is cause for pause.
For a few of these infamous people their passing came as a shocking surprise, perhaps much earlier in life than anyone might have considered, especially to themselves. One was an athlete whose fitness was formidable, but with the lightning quick sound of ignited gunpowder against a trigger-hammer his life was immediately terminated. The days of man are determined (cf. Job 14:5), and they rest in the palms of the Almighty. We “are just a vapor that appears for awhile and then vanishes away” (James 4:14b). Some may have thought they were immortal, or like most did not give much thought at all to life after death. They have now found, like we all shall, that life is eternal, and possibly even sadly to their chagrin. This is cause for pause.
There’s no question that all of these well-known people were looked up to and admired by many. It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to state that some were revered, idolized, and even worshipped. Popularity, prestige, prominence, power, personality and prosperity were characterized in all of them, with some to greater degrees than others. When these gifts are elevated above the preeminence of God, the creation and even its corruption take a place of distinction where only the Creator belongs. These are not the lifestyles Christians are called to emulate or put on a pedestal. Rather, we’re to make it our ambition to lead a quiet life (cf. I Thessalonians 4:11), to flee from “desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction” (I Timothy 6:9c), and to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness” (I Timothy 6:11b). This is cause for pause.
When people of notoriety die, the world often wakes up, grieves, sometimes ponders their own mortality and gives the deceased a place of legendary status. But everyday about 26,000 children die from causes related to their poverty. Those numbers are staggering, and most of these children go to their grave without a soul knowing of their existence except their mommy and daddy, if they’re alive. Every human life, every image-bearer of the Creator is of inestimable value regardless of their class or renowned place in human history. Yet the population at large will typically honor the former over the later everyday of the week because their publicized persona was newsworthy and their standard of living attractive. After all, what’s attractive about starvation, respiratory infection, malaria and HIV/AIDS? “God sees not as man sees” (I Samuel 16:7b), and o’ that our hearts would feel compassion for the things that Jesus feels compassion for. This is cause for pause.
God has a way of moving through human history to maximize His glory no matter what the cost. His means are often times inexplicable, especially when they involve pain, suffering and death, even among those who are unregenerate. When it comes to salvation, all enter into His presence under the same condition; that of being a sinner that will eventually suffer a terrible fate save the God of the universe dispenses His pardoning mercy and unmerited grace. Jesus said that “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”. (Luke 13:5b) Maybe, just perhaps the Lord has purposed to open avenues to speak of life, death and our eternal state to others as a result of the sorrowful fatality of all these celebrities or others like them. Mankind’s hearts and minds are often softened by these blows, and more malleable than in times of idleness and order. This is cause for pause.
These pauses do have cause, for we who esteem Jesus above all else are to mourn with those who mourn (cf. Romans 12:15), “making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16), following the example and observing those who walk according to faith (cf. Philippians 3:17), feeling compassion for the distressed and downcast (cf. Matthew 9:36), and taking advantage of these divine opportunities (cf. Colossians 4:5) to give an answer for the hope that lies within us (cf. I Peter 3:15).
Take pause, and make cause.
-Tom Kruggel
Tags: Missional Church, Thomas Kruggel
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August 1, 2009 4:27 pm
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