So Much in Vain

The other night, YouTube plopped an old video of the Jacksons in my feed. As a tweenager, I was Jackson 5 mad! As a teenager, I was Michael Jackson mad. As an adult, I had fond memories of being a fanatic for the musical Jacksons. Then I discovered Jesus.

So. When this video popped up, I could almost picture my fourteen-year-old self, daydreaming and practicing my signature as "Mrs. M. Jackson". I went ahead and took a look at the video. It was a reunion of sorts of the all the Jacksons- 6 of them counting their baby brother. As adults they still wore the dazzlingly bright outfits, a lot of silver and sheen. They still had the harmony and the synchronized moves. I listened to a medley of hits from their past. I was shocked and ashamed that I still knew all the words! If I had as many Bible verses as memorized, I'd be grateful.

When the video was over, I sat there having thoughts about talent, fame, worldly glory and... the worthlessness of it all.

The video also showed the audience. People were losing their minds to the joy of seeing a famous group perform. I even saw a little kid who was so excited I think he may have been overwhelmed. It was all very "wow".

And what does it matter to the ones who are no longer here? 

Of course, I can't help but think of Ecclesiastes 1.

I don't know where Michael or any other deceased artists are, but all that dancing, singing, or playing of instruments - none of it matters now. At one point in the video, I had watched as the famous brothers made some of the well-known dance moves - pivoting in sync and turning left to point fingers. On beat the jutted their heads forward to follow the pointing hands. Very slick and it took who knows how much practice. And not only does it no longer matter, but it actually seems silly.

I'm not picking on the famous because we all are proud of things that one day will no longer matter. Having a spectacular talent, intellectual abilities, stellar attractiveness, and on and on. We need to focus more on the things of eternity.

One good thing that came out of seeing that "blast from the past" is that it prodded me to re-focus. I need to be spending more time learning the Bible. I should know it better than I know the lyrics to someone's songs. Amen?

Peace

-- Free