Musings on the King of Pop’s Passing

Michael Jackson is not going away.  He’s dead for sure.  I saw a web site claiming that he faked his death to later come back and stage a big comeback.   The article said (I’m sure in jest) that he learned to do this from Elvis who is also still alive.  Jackson’s death reminds me about Elvis’ death in many ways.  I’m already sure there will be folks dressing up and performing like Jackson just like they are for Elvis.   Maybe one day soon there will be stage shows with Jackson impersonators and perhaps Neverland is the next Graceland.  New CDs will be coming.  Lost and never released recordings will be coming out.  His image will go on commercially.   The end is the beginning for the Jackson legacy.  But Michael will not see it.  He longed for a come back before retirement and sadly it seems his comeback is found in his death.

When you get past the chimp, the Elephant man’s bones, the plastic surgery, and the scandals you do have a canon of amazing pop music and some that are less than exciting.  I grew up with “Thriller” and the great 80s hits that have yet to go away.

I’m not a music critic so what does this have to say about faith?  I believe there are many lessons from his passing.  The truth is that this man was a lonely and tragic figure.  The money did not give him peace and the celebrity was more of a curse than a blessing.   In this story we quickly see that fame and earthly wealth does not bring peace.   We also are reminded that even if your name is a household name life is not forever.  We all live and we all die and this is true for the person on the street or celebrities on the red carpet.

I’m also reminded that my life is moving fast!  It wasn’t that long ago that I was that kid jamming to my tape of Thriller or watching the awards show where Michael first did the moon walk.  I can still remember how excited we all were about Michael.  I can remember trying to do the moon walk in my friend’s kitchen.

Life moves fast doesn’t it?  You blink and you are eighteen.  Turn around and you are thirty.  Before you know it your past songs are oldies and your heroes are dead or ‘not cool.’  The days of Madonna, Michael Jackson, “Back to the Future,” “The Cosbys” and Pac-Man are long gone.  I can rent those movies, play the games still but it isn’t the same.

So we must move forward in life.  We must learn that there is more to life than the things of life.

At Jackson’s funeral his daughter spoke about her love for her dad.  I’m sure that he would testify that this was more important to them than the fame and money.

I don’t know about Michael’s faith and I’m not sure where he was in terms of God.  He grew up Jehovah’s Witness but I have no clue where he wound up.  Years ago there was mention that the Nation of Islam courted him.  I don’t know and it isn’t my job to make that call.   But I hope that Michael found peace in the end.  I hope he did.  The media drove him crazy and he never really had a life of peace here.

So what about us?

The King of Pop or King of Rock may entertain us but it is the King of Peace we need.  Only in the King of Kings will we find true joy and life.

Blessings,
Derik