Reflecting during Michael Jackson's Memorial

I hardly ever get a chance to sit back and relax and turn on the TV. Today was one of those days. As I was flipping through the channels, I started to realize a trend...the same thing was on almost every station. Today is the memorial service of Michael Jackson. I had a moment to pray for the repose of the soul of the "King of Pop" as I listened to one of my favorite singles by him, "Will you be There?" from the 1993 Dangerous Album. During my short minutes of reflection, I thought of how I would listen to Michael Jackson's music with my mom and my dad growing up. I thought of how we would sing loud and proud in the car to "You are not alone" or "Man in the Mirror." I had a brief chuckle as I thought of us dancing around the kitchen as if we were in the "Thriller" video. There is no doubt that Michael Jackson's death has left a lasting imprint upon my own life, as well as the life of millions of people.

Michael Jackson's life was not easy. He did something that many African American children of his time could only dream of. However, there is no doubt that there were many decisions that he made nearing the end of his life that no one (including himself) was proud of. But it is not this negative light that we want to look at as we have an opportunity to reflect upon life, but that fact that even the "King of Pop" must die. C.S. Lewis reflects in his book The Weight of Glory upon how we as humans think about death. It is not that we don't think we will die, it is that we forgot that it is coming. This is why the good Christian is called to think about his or her death daily. Remember this is not some morbid daily routine we are called to, but an interaction with the Divine Face in which we hope to see clearly for all eternity upon our departure from this passing world.

Back to Michael Jackson. We are given a moment in time where we all must honor him for the gifts that he has offered our world during his time here. But our reflection must not just stop with giving honor to Jackson's life but come back to our own experience. Are we pursuing the truth with all our heart? Do we strive to know the Lord God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength? How do we treat our neighbors? The answer to these questions will reveal our next step in our own joyful pursuit. Whatever the answer is for you...move forward and closer to God, for that is who our hearts long to see.