Two men died this week. Well, actually, more than two died, but I’m
thinking of two in particular. Both had
huge impact in vastly different ways.
Dick Clark aspired to greatness in the
entertainment industry. He is being
remembered as a man who shaped the way TV looks and feels; who “legitimized”
rock n roll through the new medium of TV; who brought Chubby Checker, Kiss, Chuck
Berry, Bill Haley and the Comets, James Brown, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers,
Madonna, and many more to the world stage.
His work made him wealthy, powerful and present in American
entertainment for half a century.
Chuck Colson aspired to greatness in American
politics. He is remembered as a man who
had the ear of THE president and an office next to him in the White House. He was described as "Richard Nixon's
hard man, the 'evil genius' of an evil administration." His ambition led him to great heights. His desperate desire to stay there led to committing
crimes in the blemish known as Watergate and to prison for seven months. He was disbarred, despised and disgraced,
ending his career in law and politics.
Of those two men, it appears that Dick Clark was
the one to be admired and emulated.
“That is success, my child. Try
to be like him,” many a parent could say and point to Dick Clark. “That is failure, my child. Avoid at all costs being like him,” the same
parent could say and point to Chuck Colson.
But that depends on how “success” is defined.
As far as I can tell, Dick Clark was a nice guy.
Outwardly he had it all and people seemed to love him. But is that TRUE success?
Chuck Colson was pursued and arrested by God during
the Watergate scandal. Having all
outward success yanked from his tightly clenched fists, he looked up to his
Pursuer and surrendered to Christ. Colson
thought prison was the end yet it turned out to be the beginning. In prison Colson’s heart was also arrested by
the injustices done to prisoners and the lack of true rehabilitation. After his release, he founded Prison
Fellowship, a ministry to prisoners and their families as well as a voice for
prison reform. In addition, for over
three decades he became one of the key Christian voices speaking for Christ into
a secularized culture.
Dick Clark gave us music and entertainers to make
us happy. Chuck Colson brought hope to
the hopeless.
Dick Clark left a plethora of songs to please our
ears. Chuck Colson left actions and words
that challenge our souls to look to the only One Who can give us true pleasure.
Dick Clark got us to dance. Chuck Colson challenged us to feed the
hungry, visit the prisoners, bring justice to the oppressed, clothe the naked
and live boldly for the Savior.
Dick Clark died wealthy and powerful. Chuck Colson died humbly and away from the
places of power, having chosen a humble path.
Both found out what TRUE success is this week when
they DIED when they faced Jesus. Who do
you think is “successful” now? What do
you suppose matters now? Which man do
you think was surprised and wishes he could go back and do a lot of things
differently?
We ALL DIE. We
ALL face Jesus. We ALL will be evaluated
by what God values and rewarded accordingly.
Dick and Chuck were fortunate to live past 80. No matter the length of life it is a
miniscule dot on the line of eternity. What
matters? What we do during that dot. It
determines what we experience forever.
Sobering.
Which all begs some most important questions: Have
you been arrested by Jesus? (Not praying
a magic prayer but having your life turned right side up). What will you do with the amount of dot you
have left? What impact will you leave
behind? What will you do that will go
into your eternity with you?
I’m just asking…
The only
thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6b (NIV)
15He (Jesus) said to
them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God
knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16:15 (NIV)
Boldly, Herb
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