Recently a number of well-known celebrities went on to meet their Maker.
And their time to entertain or inspire... or do whatever they were gifted to do... is over.
This kind of news always brings a certain amount of shock... as if celebrities aren't supposed to die.
But the truth
is...
If the death of celebrities teaches us anything, it's that no one is immune to dying...
And it should remind us... death itself is a very common event.
Consider the statistics:
55.3 million people die each year.
151,600
people die each day.
6,316 people die each hour.
And 105 people die each minute.
Now with these kind of death rates, it's not surprising that a certain number of celebrities would be caught up in the numbers.
And, not wanting to be callous, their deaths should not shock
us.
Sadden us, of course.
Especially if their deaths are premature or under tragic circumstances.
But it seems to me the best way to take celebrity deaths is not with shock, but as a solemn reminder...
That no one should be presumptuous
about death.
We're all vulnerable.
Every day.
Even if we're famous.
Which means... we ought to be serious about the business of living.
And in my mind some of the best words ever on this topic came from King David when he
spoke to his son Solomon just before his own death...
When he said:
"I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man" (1 Kgs 2:2).
Definitely fitting last words for a father to give a son before he becomes the ruler of a nation.
But they are good
words for you and me too...
Because in Christ we all are to rule as kings over the domains God has given us.
So as the year comes to a close... and we read accounts of celebrities who have left us...
Don't be shocked.
Be reminded that you only have so much time to fulfill
your calling.
Be strong, and embrace the mission God has given you life to pursue.