Into the Fire

Way back in 1964, if I’m not mistaken, there was a film titled “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”. The movie played in downtown Seattle at the brand new Cinerama Theatre which presented it on a huge screen with exceptional acoustics—everything new and outstanding in the realm of watching movies. Supposed to be a comedy, the film showcased a parade of great comedic stars/actors, and although there were multiple funny lines and a few slapstick segments, I found the movie would’ve been better served by this title: “It’s A Sad, Sad, Sad, Sad World”.

Today I find the world has indeed gone mad . . . and it is sad. And not very funny.

It seems very few people can look objectively at people or events anymore. Personally, for those in the family who are mourning the death of longtime Senator Ted Kennedy, I understand losing loved ones. There can be no denying that family members and friends experience such a heavy loss and will no doubt grieve for some time. From a distance I can sympathize with those who loved him.

But also from a distance it remains a mystery to me how he can be exalted for what he stood for in his profession and in his personal life. The documented stories of the Kennedy men, including Senator Ted Kennedy, display a complete disregard for morality and decency within a family. “Camelot”? A legendary myth in the Kennedy clan, a myth so many embraced because of Jacqueline’s soft-spoken and fashion-icon genteel ways and two adorable children in the White House.

Ted Kennedy was a lush, a hard-nosed ball-breaker (forgive me if that offends you) kind of a guy who fit right into the progressive, socialist government that is being forced down our throats. Even though he was wealthy, he decried the wealth of others, loved taxing the people to the max to support his supposed wonderful causes, none of which have worked, and the scandals which lurked in his shadow got blown out like a short match. After all: he was a Kennedy.

I don’t feel good about his acquisition of and subsequent death from a brain tumor, but it’s no more grievous nor important than that of much younger author Kristy Dykes who passed away last year from the same kind of malady. Contrary to Senator Kennedy, she lived a fruitful life exalting Jesus Christ and doing her level best to serve Him to her dying day.

Everyone dies. Most of us die outside the scrutiny of the media. But when the media decides to make an idol out of a man, the truth of that life is passed over for some fabricated and heroic homage. I imagine to many people close to him Ted Kennedy was loved for good qualities. They will remember those in their times of grief as well they should.

This mad, mad, sad, sad world chooses to worship powerful men regardless of their character. They act as though certain people somehow acquire a godlike status and are worthy of every possible positive accolade. No one can replace them in their position or office.

But in the end—if never before—we die in equality. Whether it’s a brutal death in a third world country or an exquisite death in a prestigious family, we go into the ground or are consumed with flames or we are left to rot without consideration for our passing. Such is this life in sin. Eternity waits for us all. Every corpse will have an eternity.

The sins of this life are either forgiven by request or will await eternal judgment. A prominent death of a “great” person or a serial killer reminds us that death comes to all.

Pompous people die equally to humble servants. The ways and means of death make no difference. The condition of the soul at the time of passing determines our eternal existence. We can be so cavalier about eternity. Such statements and assertions of opinions of people make no difference in the end.

Only Jesus makes a difference in the end. The same choice throughout life demands a decision. Are you for Him or against Him? Covered by his sinless Blood or contaminated in the robe of sinful flesh? We choose. And no one can choose for us.

Father, we learn the pain of grief the longer we’re allowed to remain on planet earth. You are the Author of Life. Our days are numbered. And you are no respecter of persons. Thank you, God. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.