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The pursuit of worldy success
By kirk noonan | January 29, 2008
Heath Ledger
When I learned Heath Ledger died I was taken aback. I always am when someone so young and with seemingly so much to live for dies an untimely death.
In worldly terms Ledger had it all. He was climbing toward stardom, had millions of dollars at his disposal, was practicing his craft, and was famous. That’s a good life — in worldly terms.
But for Ledger, his death voids all the aforementioned measures of worldly success.
And that’s the sad reality of worldly success. It only has currency for the person who possesses it while the person is alive. As it says in Ecclesiastes 1:14, “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (NIV).
How many of us spend countless hours trying to scratch and claw our way out of our average existences for some level of stardom, cash, fame and admiration?
For that matter how many of us toil endlessly to live just a little better than our neighbors?
What a waste.
There is far more to live for.
I believe that more to live for begins with following Christ; then loving one’s family, friends and neighbors as Christ would; then living life for all its worth every single day.
Topics: Culture, Entertainment |
January 30th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Dude! Great insight on life man! Needed it!
January 31st, 2008 at 12:34 am
I was so sad that he died! It is such a waste.
It reminds me to enjoy every moment,
appreciate each day that God has given me.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:52 am
Good insight Kirk. I also like what Proverbs 12:7 says…A pretentious, showy life is an empty life;a plain and simple life is a full life.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Kirk - Great take on the true meaning of “success” in this life.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:06 am
When I first heard of Ledger’s passing, I asked: “Who’s Heath Ledger?” But once I was told of his characters in film, I knew instantly who he was. From what I could see, Heath Ledger was a bonafide superstar, yet he seemed to keep hidden in the background, not fully seeking what others in Hollywood might consider a birthright…splashy entrances, constant headlines, endless pursuits by paparazzi… I could be off base here, but it seems to me that Ledger was searching for something to fill the Jesus-sized hole in his heart. Stardom didn’t do it, his admitted 20-year dependency and abuse of drugs didn’t do it. I only wish that he might have taken an airplane ride next to Kirk Noonan. I honestly believe that an introduction to Jesus Christ through someone with compassion, love, wisdom and strong leadership would have saved his life. This is hard for me to admit. It makes me realize how many opportunities I have missed to tell a stranger next to me on a plane about Christ’s love and saving grace. I will try to do better. Perhaps the next Keith Ledger will need the good news on my next flight.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:25 am
I don’t know why we are surprised when a celebrity that we, as the American public, hold up in such high esteem falls, either figuratively or literally. “Can a man scoop fire into his lap and not be burned?” Proberbs 6:27. We place a heavy burden upon the ones we adore simply because they are excellent at what they do for a living.
No human being is meant to be worshiped. God alone is worthy and when adoration is heaped on those who know down deep their own depravity it must be frightening to say the least. We are all wretched, depraved people saved only by God’s grace in Jesus Christ His Son.
As christians we should be doing a lot more praying for those in the spotlight and a lot less goggling.