King of Pop’s gone! He’s no longer with us. It’s a sad day, I know. I feel you. Truth be told there might never be another like Michael Jackson. So if you are anything like me I bet you are quite enjoying watching his music videos and engaging in conversation about him. Chances are you’re also enjoying seeing the images the media is now showing us of him. Energetic. Perfect complexion. Full head of curly bouncy hair. And isn’t it great what their calling him now? A legend. Incomparable. The greatest entertainer that ever lived!!

Not out of disrespect. I loved Michael Jackson and his music. God knows I do. Honest to God truth - I have spotted the same ringtone on my Samsung headset for the past 2 years – "Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough". Over the years I’ve bought a huge chunk of his music catalogue – I even have a Michael Jackson LP (If that doesn’t say love, I don’t know what does).

And I’d be a fool if, as a student of music, I didn’t acknowledge his well documented influence on musicians all over the world. His imprints are all over Gospel music. Think Kirk Franklin. Think J. Moss. Think Ton3x. Think Deitrick Haddon - all heavily influenced by the Gloved one. Jackson’s worked with Gospel producers Fred “Uncle Freddie” Jerkins and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. He even worked with Gospel legends The Winans and Andre Crouch on the 1988 smash single Man In The Mirror (bet you didn’t know that!) In fact, as recently as three weeks prior to his death, Michael was working with Andre and twin sister Sandra on new material for an upcoming record (a meeting that spawned the rumour Michael got saved during one of their conversations. False).

But here’s where yesterday’s dinner begs regurgitation. What would the scenario be had Michael made the news say three months ago? What images would we have seen then? Emaciated. Pale. Melanin-challenged. Asymmetrical. Nose out of joint. And what words? Wacko Jacko. Crazy. Eccentric. Lunatic. Plastic surgeon addict.

Hang on a minute. What happened there? Did I miss something? Was I in a coma the past few months and wake up to a new MJ reality? Why the sudden shift?

Maybe his death exposes a hypocrisy not just in the media, but also in our own hearts. Are we quick to build up a man’s stature and then tear down his statue? Do we celebrate people in their lives, vilify them just for kicks and in their death declare them the best thing since sliced bread? What’s wrong with the media? What’s wrong with us? Didn’t the world cheer on as Jackson was dragged through a humiliating child molestation trial (which dare I say turned out to be based on false accusations)? Didn’t we stay up late to catch British journalist Martin Bashir drag Jackson through the mud in his documentaries?

Remind me what it is we call him now. World’s best entertainer ever!
Oh my! Here comes last night’s spaghetti!

Where were all these fancy titles three months back? And all these celebrities who freely jump onto television and radio to shed tears for the man – where was their support when MJ needed them most? Their silence was defeaning! Kinda reminds me of Jesus. The crowds loved him and ate up every word he spoke. Funny, they might have been the same ones shouting “Crucify Him!” shortly after.

Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying the man was perfect. Far from it. His many flaws were often on display as a result of his public persona. Nor do I compare him with Jesus in any way. Still, I realise there are many valuable lessons I’m learning from his untimely death. I’m learning that the human heart can be deceptive above all things. I can never rely on it or its feelings. It leads me astray so often, making me wholeheartedly believe one reality today, and a completely different one the next. Confused about the heart, a prophet even asked “Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). It cannot be the compass which directs my life. It’s broken. I must rely on something else. Something greater.

I also learn NEVER to live for the crowd. NEVER!! Their adoration and ululation may make me feel like a star today, but they’ll tear me down faster than Kenyan MPs raising their salaries. If I decide to live for them, I must be prepared to have them prop me up and forget all about me tomorrow. No, I choose to reject their praises. I choose to live for the things that God consistently calls me to. I focus squarely on them, and no one or nothing else. I toughen myself up to do the journey, even if I have to go the disctance all on my own. My shoulders are not being built up and strengthened so people can pat them. They are being made strong so I can carry the loads God desires me to. I must find out what God has designed me to do. And do it. I must work at it tirelessly, and never care for anyone’s applause but that of the Master.

Here’s my prayer for me. And for you. I pray that I would find what the Master has made me for. I pray I would dig in my heels and do it, with all my might. I pray that He would give me big strong shoulders. Not so that people would pat me on them and say “Good job”, but so that I would use them to shoulder the loads He gives me with ease. I pray the cheers of others and the accolades that follow would never distract me from doing my tasks. Hey, if I get the platinum records and the sold-out concerts (or their equivalent in my totally “unmusical” life), awesome! If I don’t get them, may I still live to hear the Master say to me, “Dude, well done, you’ve been good and faithful with the little I gave you. Now here’s much more.” Won't that be something!

About The Author: David Kuria is a Mwafrika.com director, and a freelance writer on matters Christian, Media and Entertainment.

Email (will not be published)

Name

Title

Comment
 remaining characters

Post