First, Michael Jackson. Unless you've been living under a rock or are just too young to remember (in which case you wont be able to read this anyway), you will know who Michael Jackson was. A brilliant talent whose career spanned 40 years. Responsible for hits such as Thriller, Billy Jean, Beat it and Black and White, the very smooth and lanky Michael also perfected the "Moon Walk" and was idol to countless millions of people throughout the world. Jackson's records, money, and personality made him a virtual "who's who" of the music industry. Whether you liked him or not, whether you liked his music or not, you have to agree that Michael Jackson is, and will forever be, one of the most easily recognizable faces of world history.
Secondly, Steve McNair. While not as recognizable as Michael Jackson, to those of us who follow football, McNair will always hold a very special place in our hearts. McNair stole our hearts in 1994 while playing college football for Division 1-AA Alcorn State. He won the Walter Payton award in 1994 as the top player in Division 1-AA. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers, who later moved to Tennessee and became the Titans. He was the NFL Co-MVP in 2003 and was selected to multiple Pro Bowls and played in Super Bowl XXXIV. A man who had many friends. Until his untimely murder he was thought to have few enemies. Another face who, at least in the world of sports, will never be forgotten.I thought of these men, and many like them, because I have recently been told something that surprised even me. I have been very open about my father and what he meant to me. He was a sterling example of Christ and is the single biggest reason I am who I am today. I always looked at my dad as a "pillar" of the Church. His example and righteousness before the Lord made everyone around him better. I always hoped I could live up to the same praise. I was recently approached after church by someone who said, "you know you are a pillar of this church don't you?" My knees buckled and I couldn't speak. What a high, high praise and wonderful compliment. I still have not been able to completely wrap my mind around this honor being bestowed upon me. What have I done to deserve such honor? If I never do another thing in this life, I believe that I have made my father proud. "Well then," you may ask, "how does this make you think of the famous deceased?" That's a fair question. While pondering what these people did to leave their mark on the world, I wondered what mark they made on this world for the Lord? All of the work that they did to get to where they were was truly something to be proud of. Don't get me wrong. We should always be proud when our hard work finally pays off but what did they really accomplish? Ecclesiastes 12:8 says, "vanities of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity." The loose translation is, "worthless, useless; all is worthless." Everything done in this life is worthless if it is not done unto the Lord. I loved the deceased. Every one of them. It is very sad when someone goes out of this life. I only hope that they made their peace with God before it was too late. Only God knows. Their eternity is in His hands. I just cant stop to think, "what good did all of their accomplishments and riches do them? What good did it do any of us?" My father wasn't rich. Not by a long shot, but he left a legacy that still lives on. His youngest son is a pillar of the church. That's worth far more than silver and gold. His children and grandchildren know how to get to heaven because of a Godly example left by their grandfather. Strive to be the best you can be in this world. There's nothing wrong with that. Just remember to be the best for God that you can be because whats left behind when you're gone will be worth far more if its done for the Lord.
In love:
LW
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