Michael Jackson - A Different Perspective

*As heard on the Road Home with Steve Gimbert*

From the blog of Pastor Thomas Schmidt:

Michael Jackson's last dance!By the perspective received from the media you would readily conclude with me that Michael Jackson's life story is tragic. The desperate alterations of his appearance in repeated surgeries, his apparent drug addiction, the odd and dysfunctional web of marriage and children, his highly questionable fixation on young boys, the enormously extravagant financial insolvency, all these things are all the more heartbreaking when juxtapostioned against his incredible talent. Review any video of his performances and you observe breathtaking timing, a keen sense of musical style, athletic performance, and a wonderful singing ability. He obviously worked hard at his craft. In many ways Michael displayed an image of a gloriously wonderful Creator.I wish I could have confidence that Michael is with his Creator now. The combination of his admirable qualities with tragedy evokes from us a yearning for redemption and triumph. Perhaps Michael has found redemption, I don't know, I'm not the Judge of mankind. But I hope my life story leaves more evidence than Michael's that redemption was at work in me. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father, but through me." Someone might ask, did Michael know Jesus? A more pertinent question is, do you know Jesus? If the Spirit of God is a work in my life through my relationship to Jesus Christ then there should be evidence of such a thing. Hopefully, as a person grows older, there is a growing body of evidence. A Chinese proverb says, "When you see a good man, emulate him; when you see a bad man, examine your heart." Will your life story be a tale of tragedy? Will you make an investment in self-indulgence, sensuality and immorality that dominates any remembrance of you and wrecks havoc in your personal relationships?Michael Jackson's brokenness is not confirmation of his damnation. It is confirmation of his fallenness. We all have that, and we all live with varying degrees of brokenness. Jesus came to seek and save the broken. His love can heal our hurts. His redemptive work can turn our tragedies to triumphs. When I follow Jesus Christ he leads me away from the destruction that I would readily make of my life. I want that for you and me.It's something worth dancing about!

Thomas SchmidtPastor, Christ Presbyterian (PCA)Clarkesville, GA