Into the Fire

I love movies. Certainly not all movies. And oftentimes the ones I like have a great deal to do with the actors who are in them. Whenever I post about films in general—at least where opinions are sought—there is usually a large and varied response. I’ll love one actor, you won’t, and so it goes. Same with the films themselves. We all have our favorites among movies and movie stars.

Every now and then an aged actor will pass away. Sometimes it’s a familiar character actor in a television series we watched long ago, or it’s someone who possessed bona fide star quality and fame. Either way we remember their skills and appeal—or even that we couldn’t see in them whatever it was that everyone else seemed to admire.

And then sometimes we receive news of the River Phoenix kind, a young promising and talented actor dying on the sidewalk outside The Viper Room nightclub in tinsel town from the ingestion of too many in both quantity and types of drugs. We wonder why such a vibrant professional found it necessary to medicate himself to an even and ever greater high than being a successful and young actor.

Now we have the death of Heath Ledger, 28 year old Australian actor, Oscar nominee a few years back for his portrayal of a married homosexual cowboy in “Brokeback Mountain”, soon to be seen in “The Dark Knight” playing a starkly different rendition of The Joker in yet another Batman sequel. He started his acting gig in his native country playing Peter Pan when he was 10 years old. By the age of 19 he was in LA seeking the real acting jobs and, after playing in one teen-slanted film with Julia Stiles (seen in the Bourne films), began the selective process of choosing those films which required more of him.

It’s assumed he will have died of an accidental drug overdose, similar to that of another fellow Aussie a few years back, who hadn’t achieved the status of Heath Ledger, by the name of Trevor Goddard who played Lt. Cmdr. Mic Brumby on the series “JAG” and was also one of the pirate crew in “POTC, Curse of the Black Pearl”. Apparently both actors were very well liked, and their families and friends were shocked and devastated both at their deaths and at the way they died. Goddard’s death was initially termed a suicide but eventually suggested it may have been an accidental overdose of illegal drugs. Ledger’s death is being suggested as an accidental overdose with no evidence in the apartment of illegal drugs. However, there were anti-depressants and prescription sleeping pills present, apparently due to some serious insomnia of late.

There are always mixed reactions from those of us outside the industry. Some react with disdain, assuming the individual was probably a junkie of some kind. Others wonder how anyone with such success could possibly be unhappy or disturbed by life. And still others will remember he is the father of a two year old daughter with his ex-fiancée and co-star in the Brokeback movie and will look upon the situation with compassion and a sense of loss.

However one decides to assess it—whether a tragedy or a troubled life or a foolish act or irrelevant—the real question concerns eternity. It’s too late now for a decision to be rendered by Heath Ledger. I have no idea of his views on spiritual things, but as a Christian I know he was given his 28 years to make a decision about God and how he regarded His Son Jesus Christ. This decision, so disregarded by many, is the most critical of all requirements in this life—long or short. No one can make it for us. It is something we must do ourselves.

Heath Ledger lived and died. Now he is in eternity. It no longer matters how he lived his life here. Whenever it was that he inhaled his final breath and slipped away, let’s hope he had time to find and know Jesus Christ. Otherwise, this life with all its flaws and pitfalls, sinful actions, words, and deeds . . . this life was the best he could have hoped for.

Father, you know. You know us, our hearts, our intentions, our thoughts. You know if and when we belong to you. You sent your Son to forgive us all. You give us only so long on this earth and you make a way for the seeking heart to find Jesus. You know whose heart is true. Thank you, God, for salvation, available to all, accepted by some. The real tragedy lies in passing up your love and forgiveness, your mercy and grace. Help us all to draw ever nearer to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes.*