Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams committed suicide yesterday.
Why?
Most would think he had it made. After all he was talented, rich, famous, respected by his peers, and loved by millions.
Though all of his movies were hilariously funny, his friends and family reported that he was suffering from severe depression. As more information comes out, we’ve learned that like so many celebrities in Hollywood, he’d been addicted to cocaine. He spent some serious time in rehab trying to quell that monster and finally succeeded, only to turn to alcohol and heavy drinking as a replacement.
Huh?
He had it all, why would he be depressed?
Maybe having it all isn’t all that most people think it is. Old King Solomon had it all and then some. God said he was the richest and wisest man that would ever live. He tried beautiful women, gold, great projects, wine, horses, palaces, poetry, wisdom, you name it. Here’s what he had to say about it:
I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless – like chasing the wind.
Robin was looking in all of the wrong places to find his peace. The supposed best things the world had to offer, wealth, fame, glamour, excitement, accomplishment of great things in his chosen profession, the beautiful people, cocaine, and alcohol did not provide him with the relief and peace of mind, soul, and spirit that he so desired. King Solomon said that they could only be found in God.
I was talking to a young millennial last night and had just finished telling him that the things of the world will not bring him the peace, love, and joy that he desires. He looked at me skeptically and I got the impression he was surprised to hear that money would not buy him all of the peace, joy, and happiness that he would ever need.
As though on cue, immediately after I spoke those words another person in our dinner party announced the death of Mr. Williams.
My family was ravaged by suicide to include my only sibling, my beloved brother Jim. I’ve come very close to taking my own life on more than one occasion and can relate to why someone would choose that option. People who do such things have lost hope and consider that taking their own life is preferable to enduring a life filled with pain.
Sadly hope is easy to find and is in fact omnipresent, meaning that it surrounds every person on this planet at all times just like a television signal. Hope is derived from God. With the saving grace of Jesus Christ comes our peace, love, and joy; and we can rest easy in Him.
Make no mistake God is the only solution to mend a broken heart and give us the courage and strength to face a world full of empty promises. As old King Solomon said, all of life is vanity and meaningless without God; however take heart my good friends, the love of God endures forever! Sing Praise my friends Sing Praise!
Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.
August 12, 2014 – Click here to listen