Robin Williams, Child of God by Pastor Stephen Simpson / ProperGander News {This is something I wrote yesterday. Because it also pertains to how we so often view and handle celebrities, including the guys in Kansas, I thought it might be appropriate to share here. Id love your feedback.} So much has been said in the wake of Robin Williams tragic death, perhaps too much. And yet, amidst many words and endless pontification and speculation, all I can think of are his children, his wife, and his loved ones. I grieve at the magnitude of his pain and pray that somehow in Gods Providence, his soul has found rest. We certainly do not need any empty speculation from preachers or pundits about Robin Williams eternal home or reasons why he did what he did. Robin Williams was one of the greatest comedians and actors of my generation; in fact, his appeal transcended generations. He could make us laugh until we cried. But too often, his own tears -- and the source of them -- went unnoticed. He and I often disagreed on political matters. Sometimes, he said things that made me cringe or even angry. But Robin Williams the man was so amazingly compassionate to children, and gave so much time and effort to support St. Judes Hospital. He also loved the men and women who served our nation in uniform, and did all he could to lift their spirits. Some things are bigger than politics, after all. Robin Williams struck me as someone who had been deeply hurt and disappointed by religion. His remarks about what he perceived as hypocrisy were both scathing and legendary. And yet, despite claims by some that he was an atheist, he was known to seek solace in prayer to God. His favorite book was The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. He loved to read aloud the entire CHRONICLES OF NARNIA series by Lewis to his children. When I heard that fact, it brought me some degree of comfort and joy. He has been called a comic genius, and he certainly was, but he was so much more than that. He will rank right at the top with Charlie Chaplain, Jonathan Winters, Bill Cosby, Red Skelton, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, and a few others as someone with a lightning fast wit, impeccable timing, insightful social commentary, and a poignant sense of humanity. We are left wondering about the pain that ultimately overwhelmed him. The same pain that fueled his comedic antics and entertained us so relentlessly also likely killed him. And this is an all-too-familiar theme in the way that Americans relate with our entertainers or public figures. My Dad often talked to me about the Coke Bottle mentality when I was growing up. Had we been Northern Yankees, it would have been Soda Bottle or Pop Bottle. The idea is that we grab a bottle to drink from, and once we have drained it, we discard it. He would say, Son, dont treat people like Coke Bottles. Dont drain them, and dont throw them away. Honor the vessel that the blessing came through. Dont just consume somebodys gift; respect and appreciate them. As a nation of consumers, we have adapted a mentality that is fundamentally ungodly. We just consume it all, still we lack, as Kerry Livgren wrote in the Kansas song No One Together. The headlines that scream at you every time you walk through the checkout line at the grocery store testify to this. The American Sweetheart from 5 years ago now has the worst beach body with photos to document this news. The former Hollywood icon is beset by scandal; the musician doesnt have that knack anymore; the comic isnt funny; the preacher cant preach and is now shacking up with the soap opera star. Give us dirty laundry, Don Henley once prophetically sang. We have become a nation of voyeurs and gouls. Social media has made it even easier to rip into and tear down public figures, and ad hominem attacks have replaced civil dialogue. Just let a news anchor gain five pounds and viewers will be Tweeting like mad dogs from the comfort of their sofas. And somehow, we have concluded that there is some kind of social pact that allows sociopathic paparazzi and carnivorous gossip columnists to hound, slander, provoke, and spy upon stars because stars supposedly no longer have basic human rights due to their entertainment skills. This is a social sickness and its toxicity has tainted virtually every area of society. We need to repent, all of us. Repentance is not simply feeling sorry; it is changing our ways. Perhaps it may be in what we communicate about human beings in the entertainment business, sports, or in the public eye. It may be in not watching, reading, or listening to certain pundits and gossips, or being a conduit of their verbiage. It might just start with valuing the people around you, appreciating them, listening to them, encouraging them, loving them, showing them some grace. Be kind. Jesus, the most perfect person ever, showed us that one of the best ways to love God is by loving people. These people are not Coke Bottles. They are Gods children. Treat them accordingly. “You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, youll win, no matter what the outcome.” ~ Patch Adams Rest in peace, Robin Williams. {Today, Robin Williams wife Susan revealed that he was in the early stages of Parkinsons Disease and that this added to his suffering. Please pray for her and their family and loved ones.} (PHOTO: Robin Williams with Darcy, a patient at St. Judes Hospital/Photo from St. Judes)
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 21:10:44 +0000
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