I watched the biographies of the Bee Gees with interest the other night. Even though some turn up their noses at what they sneeringly call their “disco” music I really enjoy it. Actually, their record sales have been estimated at over 200 million making them some of the best-selling artists of all time; so I’m not alone.
Like most rock stars they made a lot of money fast and of course were subsequently swarmed by the thousands of adoring women just waiting for an opportunity to hop in bed with one of them. Oh, and let’s not forget the drugs and alcohol and constant partying. They all got married and then divorced, but the first real tragic consequence of the sin was their youngest brother Andy who died of a massive overdose of cocaine and alcohol. It was devastating to the rest of the three brothers.
They produced the tremendous hit Tragedy because of it, and it was almost an omen because another tragedy of even greater proportions followed Andy’s death a few years later. The untimely death of Maurice Gibbs the twin brother of Robin and younger brother of Barry. Again, it was devastating to them. Maurice had been one of the original Bee Gees and had been with them from the very beginning.
Maurice died of complications from a twisted intestine that burst causing a cardiac arrest at the young age of 53. It was unexpected and even more so because he lived for three days after the heart attack and his prognosis initially had been good. His prognosis may have been good, but the outcome was bad, because despite of their fame, talent, money, and hiring the best doctors in the world Maurice died in the hospital.
Barry Gibbs was heartbroken in no small part because the last time he had an opportunity to talk with Maurice he was mad at him and had given him a piece of his mind. Maurice had been an alcoholic, and it seemed that he could not muster the wherewithal to enter rehab again and had reached a point that seemed hopeless.
The Bible teaches that God is hope. It also teaches that God is love. Hmmm If we think about it in those terms if we have lost hope, doesn’t it mean we have lost God? If we give up on love, haven’t we given up on God?
“Yes”, you say, “but you don’t know what we have gone through with this alcoholic, drug addict, criminal, cheating spouse, nasty lying person et al” I think I have more than just an inkling of what you have gone through.
Lots of people gave up on me and I can assure you that I gave them plenty of logical reasons to do so. At least that is how we as human beings rationalize it. Losing hope and just giving up is entirely understandable from a logical, human standpoint, (even I hated me and my despicable persona). But from God’s spiritual perspective of things, it is diametrically the opposite of how He wants us to think and act. He doesn’t look at WHAT we are, but WHAT WE CAN BECOME!
So therefore my brethren and sisters with God we can and should always have hope; it is what He is. God does not give up on love.
I praise His holy name and the fact that because of Him, no matter how low someone has sunk, with God there is always hope for a full recovery.
Don’t give up on love and don’t lose hope because in so doing you are abandoning your Lord and Savior. Turn it entirely over to Him when you reach your limit, but keep the faith, maintain hope, and love The Bible teaches that we are to emulate our Savior in every way
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Thanks for listening and go to church this Sunday!