I don’t know about you, but when I used to wonder what I’d put on my gravestone I often ended up laughing. Anyway, I usually find it interesting when people reflect on celebrity deaths. I know some of the comments are meant as a joke but some really are confused about what is good living here and what the rules of heaven are.
First of all, heaven is not going to have celebrities. Jesus is the celebrity there. When we get to heaven our souls will be given a new body, and we won’t have clothes from Versace, rings to flash, Bentley’s to show off in.
We’ll have every deep seated need met and so much bliss with those we care about. We’ll be able to spend all the time we want with our wife/husband, our kids, relatives … and get to know people from time immemorial.
Our minds will be challenged completely and all the inquiries we ever had about Bible times, history, physics, stars …. you name it …. will be satisfied for eternity. We’ll be able to explore God’s creation to our hearts desire. We’re going to meet at leisure with Bible fathers/mothers, or other great figures, about their lives back in history.
Materially we’ll have more than enough and never have the need to impress our dad who never gave us love or compete with the Jones next door. We won’t have the constant pressure to pay bills, fight creditors, support people. We’ll never miss a car, and we’ll walk on jeweled highways.
There will be appointed times of worship. Bach may play at a Passover Festival or Elvis will sing a gospel song for everyone’s delight, just because he loves what Jesus did for him. Maybe you and your family will lead music another time.
Everyone will desire to visit with Jesus or ask Him things …. will we wait in line or make appointments? I guess a thousand years won’t be that long to wait to give Him a great hug, and fall down and worship at His feet.
On the other hand …. if people don’t like spending time with godly people or pursuits here on earth, or never had any interest in living for God/Jesus, or loved true justice, they’re probably not going to like heaven. And no one will force them to go there against their will. Some celebrities choose not to have a faith, that’s their choice. But we have an indication who’s godly or not as they’re giving us frequent smiles or hope already on earth. Or we’re sad when we see them in drugged pain as they struggle against the stress of the empty world of hype and flattery. Or we’re disgusted with their sick or selfish displays.
God told us He’s going to lay bare all the schemes or secrets humans ever had. He’s going to reveal the things we hid in our hearts and thought no one saw. Someday He’s going to recognize all those who aided people under oppression, all those who showed mercy in their hearts and tried to correct wrongs done to others. He doesn’t put the politician first or the celebrity at the head. It may sound ‘crass’ but God’s not a respecter of persons, He treats everyone the same, because He’s a just God. Pastors, popes, Presidents all get the same treatment as anyone else. Rewards will be for those who earned them, but they won’t be jewelry, cars or stocks.
Historical perspective is missing so often today! There were tons of people living in ages before us who will get to have their stories heard, their deeds shared. Do we think our favorite self-centered celebrities will be strutting in heaven ahead of Paul, David, Peter, Shakespeare, Churchill, Martin Luther, Billy Graham? Some may run plays with Favre at some time but many people are going to be surprised to find they will be ahead of their earthly idol when they get to heaven. Many don’t realize how much value is in their love and service to others.
Don’t envy rock stars, NFL legends, movie stars …. look to your own life …. dare to be ‘really’ you! You are SO much more important than an idol to God. Don’t put your life down …. Jesus went to the cross for you. Martin Luther suffered persecution from the Pope, others for you. George Washington fought thru many nights and storms for you.
Marc deeply admired a few people who seemed accomplished in their field but he accepted his own life. I liked that trait about him. He claimed his joy here, even as he accepted his struggles, his rewards. The reason he feeds this legacy in me is cause he really was a godly guy, in all ways tested and proven. I could never write about a ‘lie’ or falsehood. Ask God to help you accept your lot in life so that you make yourself into the person you most admire!
God bless you!