Michael on Michael

Image via Wikipedia

Life is fatal. We are so often bombarded with junk science ideas on how to improve our well being (I saw a whole list of foods that are supposed to benefit particular parts of our bodies based on associated characteristics: walnuts, for example, are encased in a 'skull' and are wrinkly, so they MUST be intended for good brain health. Pomegranates apparently are no good for women because they grow in pairs and are full of tiny seeds!) that we forget the big stuff. Eat well to be sure, but take a pass on the surgical anesthetic before bed and you might at least wake up in the morning!
If we can sort of get along while we are slowly dying, and manage to produce some good fruit that will last beyond our time, and bring some glory (weight!) to God as we go; then good enough. I still like Michael Jackson's early music the best. Rockin' Robin, and ABC were a lot of fun to sing along with. I think he was a great singer, and I found pleasure in recognizing God's gift in his voice.
His childhood, however, was stolen in a way that crippled the rest of his life, it would seem. His life then, is a 'type' of all lives. We are each born having been made 'in the image of God', with a unique mix of His characteristics. But we are also born in a fallen state where our own inherent tendencies detract from the good and drag us toward self centeredness and pride (rejecting of God).
Some lives are lived out in the hinterlands where the simple lack of attention seems to mask this inner drama of life, but some are out in the limelight where the mix of giftedness and depravity are fully revealed. Which aspect of such a public life gets the most public attention reflects more on the nature of the society. Will we honor the talented entertainer despite the apparent pedophelia? Or disparage the selfish reprobate despite his great contribution to a musical genre?
Ultimately God only can judge between what we have done with what we have been given. Some have so much talent and secure upbringing that God expects more than from those who were weakened or damaged by life's trials.
Luke 12:48b
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

The moral of the story? When you become the new King or Queen of Pop, don't let it go to your head. Enjoy the prosperity, but give away the excess to do the most good. Do all you do for the glory of God and you'll be able to sleep nights. And if you still die young (yes, 50 is young!), it'll be ok.
I have to work at synopsizing my morals, I know.