22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
(James 1:22-25 KJ)
Man in the Mirror
“I’m starting with the man in the mirror.
I am asking him to change his ways.
No message could be any clearer
if you are going to make the world a better place.
Take a look at yourself and then make a change.”
The death of Michael Jackson possibly the greatest entertainer who ever lived has caused us all to take a long look at our lives. It is often easier for us to inventory the lives of others, rather than take a self-inventory.
Michael makes us painfully aware of our faults and flaws. He also helped us understand how we can cover those issues up with makeup and drugs. In so many ways, Michael like all of us, was a victim. He was a victim of his parenting and the public. He developed a serious case of low self-esteem that caused him to be so unhappy with the man he saw in the mirror. Even his genius could not hide the tortured and twisted discomfort he felt with the image he saw. He tried desperately to change the face of the person that his father had taught him to hate. After numerous facial surgeries, he altered his looks so dramatically that he barely resembled the child star we fell in love with. Yet no matter what Michael did to his face, nose or skin complexion, he still maintained his core being of love, kindness and generosity.
I have lived long enough to recognize that it is not our faults that define us, but the good that represents the God in us. Michael Jackson was constitutionally and essentially good. No amount of negative publicity can tarnish his goodness nor his incredible talent. I just wish he had loved the man in the mirror as much as we did. Michael Joseph Jackson, we thank you for sharing your genius and gifts with us, please rest in peace.
You may write to Dr. Benjamin at Bishop@lightoftheworld.org or at Light of the World Christian Church, 4646 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46228. My book, It’s All In Your Mind, can be ordered at www.tombenjamin.com or by calling 1-800-847-9695.
