Celebrity Deaths: Ed McMahon, Michael Jackson, and Farrah Fawcett

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Newsmaker Editorial

6-25-2009 *

  

by Phillip Guerra

The demise of 3 celebrities in one week including: (Tonight Show) Ed McMahon, (Charlie's Angels) Farrah Fawcett, and the most recent sudden death of 50 year old Pop-Star Icon Michael Jackson is sure to have the famous in Hollywood realizing their own mortality. The quote "In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes, "(Benjamin  Franklin)  seems more resounding in light of these recent events. The bible says "it is appointed for man once to die, and then the judgment."(Hebrews 9:27)  No, not even Hollywood is immune to death. 

In places where people seem to be in a position of power and strength there seems to be the illusion of immortality and death seems to be a rude interruption of that concept.  As human beings we tend to be fond of the familiar, at an unconscious level we have already developed a type of one-sided relationship with them and they have become part of us.  Many people have mourned Ed McMahon because of all of his years beside the late Johnny Carson, others were moved by the public sharing that Farrah Fawcett did in the recent documentary about her cancer. Now, many more will mourn singer Michael Jackson because of a musical career that spanned decades.  I can recall the time that I had not seen my favorite TV show for a very long time and when I suddenly had access to re-runs via syndication; You would have thought I had seen an old friend by the emotional response it engendered.

 Celebrities and our concepts of them become a type of comfort to us.  While lots of things can come and go, our access to them and the work that they do has unseen effects in the way we live our lives. 

As evidenced by fan reaction to the news of "celebrity deaths" we can see that the world of entertainment is by far a greater part of our lives than we realize.  Celebrities wield great influence on individuals and the culture. Why is that? Many fans idolize their favorite celebrity and elevate them to a god-like status. Some will revere them and build shrines (somebody's entire wall plastered with the celebrity's image). We know that for some the demise of a celebrity is as sad as losing a member of their own family.  Whether we realize it or not that same influence will affect us. We tend to emulate those we love. The bible says: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."(Matthew 6:21 )  While many of us have been endeared to and place our affections on our favorite movie actor or actress, we should be reminded to "guard our heart" and "set our hearts on things above."

(Colossians 3:2 Amplified2And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.) (Proverbs 4:23 NLT "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.")  As we are saddened by the demise of these well known people, let us contemplate our own lives and strive to build good friendships with those around us and learn to value those who have chosen to have a real relationship with us.