What I wish Heath Ledger would have known
Only Jesus can give true meaning to life and keep us off a destructive path.
by Lane Palmer, Guest Columnist
Posted: Monday, February 11, 2008, 9:55 (GMT)
No, this isn't a 'let's exploit any and all things Heath Ledger' article. I really liked Mr. Ledger, and I'm incredibly saddened for his loved ones - and especially his two year old daughter. He was a very talented individual with an extremely promising future.
Yet despite all these facts, there is a cultural fascination and frenzy to find out what reeeeeallly happened - even if it means complete and absolute disrespect for his family and friends. There are leaked videos and speculative allegations about substance abuse and addictions. It seems as though everyone wants to get to the bottom of this apparent mystery.
Is it really such a mystery? It is truly headline and blogosphere news that despite apparently having it 'all,' that 'all' is really quite nothing? And even further, are we shocked and awed that people in pain often turn to the way wrong places to temporarily soothe the seething ache and oftentimes agony of this thing called life?
Well, not to me. Not because I'm some super-genius-I-know-everything-about-life person, but because I believe the Person who wrote these facts down in black and white in the world's #1 best seller of all time. These aren't theories or debatable concepts, because what you are about to read are the simple truths from the Author of truth. They are the warning lights on the dashboard of existence ... they are the warning labels on the bottle of reality. Read carefully, and you might find the real secret to a meaningful life:
The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? (Jeremiah 17:9)
"Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own." (Luke 12:15)
"Everything is meaningless," says the Teacher, "completely meaningless!"
Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. (Ecclesiastes 1:2,8)
Don't be misled-you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. (Galatians 6:7-8)
The Bible paints a not-so-subtle picture of life in real and raw terms. The true portrait of existence reveals the wickedness of human nature, the meaninglessness and emptiness of our day to day struggles, and the inevitable consequences when we choose the wrong path. This is what oftentimes drives even the best and the brightest to depression, drugs, and even death. The wicked heart tells the hopeless soul that life will always be meaningless, so why not just live to satisfy our sinful nature?
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 14:25 (GMT)
This sanctimonious attempt to use a great actor's passing to pimp the author's religious beliefs isn't the most offensive reaction to Mr. Ledger's death that I've seen so far. But it's topped only by FOX News' John Gibson's attempt to turn it into a sick joke, so that isn't saying much.
Mr. Ledger's performance as Ennis del Mar alone has been an inspiration to more people than he ever knew. It helped many of these people to heal the scars of spiritual violence done to them by Lane's triumphalist religion. And there's nothing that those convinced that they have an exclusive copyright on Truth can do about it at that point.
Marcia, Holden, Missouri, USA
Added: Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 8:29 (GMT)
Some may react differently to the article and some may miss the point intended, but you don't have to be a "reckless, self-indulgent Hollywood druggie" to lead a meaningless life, especially in the context of eternity.
I know as I was one such person [leading a meaningless life in pursuit of life], but now my life is totally in His hands and my daily life is full in miracles, nothing to do with narrow-mindedness, but real and uncanny experiences.
Since my total failure in life, and my return to faith in Him, its amazing, the grace shown me, even how He has provided all my needs since then, when I needed them. I now understand the purpose of my life: To love Him with all my heart and all my soul and all my mind and to love and serve my earthly neighbors.
It only has meaning when He is in us and we in Him.
ong siong kai, Jakarta, Indonesia
Added: Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 3:12 (GMT)
This is the one thing that has made my heart ache soo much since this happened. I just hope and pray that somehow in younger days, he knew John 14:6.
Nikita, Ga/Usa
Added: Monday, February 11, 2008, 20:06 (GMT)
The religion-impaired author of this article seems to think Heath Ledger would have been somehow saved by belief in Christianity. Heath died from poor medical care and the resultant accidental overdose of legal prescription medications. He wasn't the reckless, self-indugant Hollywood druggie the author implies he was.
Les Wilson, United States
Added: Monday, February 11, 2008, 17:36 (GMT)
What bible version did you use in your scipture quotes? I like them.
Alex, Cincinnati, OH
Added: Monday, February 11, 2008, 14:47 (GMT)
Keep your religion to yourself.
alex turner, toronto, Canada
Added: Monday, February 11, 2008, 14:16 (GMT)
A truly terrifying and sanctemonious article. I'm sure you won;t publish this comment as it is not in your favour. How narrow minded and judgemental can you be?
sophie, uk
Added: Monday, February 11, 2008, 10:41 (GMT)
I am really glad someone spoke out about this sensitive subject. It does not matter how many times people deny it but Jesus is the only way to having a life that counts. Going through life with Jesus and at the end of your days ending up with Him.
God bless
Duane
Duane Swarts, Cape Town, South Africa
