Duke Jeyaraj
Oscar winning actor, Robin Williams, a comedian par excellence, died in 2014 after what was an apparent case of suicide. Suicide. Why do folks who ‘have it all’ like him commit suicide? The answer is simple: without a living, daily relationship with Jesus life will never be full and fulfilling – the Bible teaches (Read John 10:10). Jesus can take away the blankness in our bosoms as he is the only one ever who never sinned and thereby the only one who never had an empty feeling in his heart for sin causes an empty feeling. Ahitophel was a counselor to King David, the greatest king of Israel – a role perhaps equivalent to being AVP of a corporate company. Yet he committed suicide. Saul was the first king of Israel, a role like that being the CEO of a company or the President of a nation. Yet he committed suicide. Coming to Robin Williams, he may have thought laughter could give him lasting joy and may be that was why he acted as a comedian in some of his movies (think of Mrs. Doubtfire). But serenity was not his after smiles faded. Yes, calm was not his after the crackles of cheers died down. If the hero of the rib-tickling movie, Doubtfire, had indeed committed suicide it makes us doubt this statement: “Life’s ultimate purpose can be got through the route of laughter!” Life’s meaning is not ultimately found in achievements, we know that well deep down. Real, lasting peace does not come in the positions we possess. Life’s ultimate purpose cannot be discovered through the laughter, merry-making route (See Ecclesiastes 2:2 in the Bible). Life’s meaning is discovered when, after realizing all under the sun like wine, women, wealth, work, ‘wows’, etc., does NOT give purpose, we seek an on-going relationship with the One who is above the sun – even the God who made us (This is the message of the book of Ecclesiastes one of the 66 books of the Bible, see especially Ecclesiastes 2:25). Life’s meaning comes when we repent from sin and put our faith in God-in-flesh Christ Jesus who died for us on the Cross. Real peace is ours when we recognize that the punishment that brings us peace came upon Jesus when he hung on that Cross and when we come to him after taking a U-turn in this Sin Highway we are on (Read Isaiah 53:5, The Bible). Would you do that now?
(Duke Jeyaraj, an Engineer turned Doctor of Ministry graduate, is the founder of Grabbing the Google Generation from Gehenna Mission, a ministry to presentday people funded by Indians who read his writings and hear his messages. Find out more about Duke and this inter-denominational ministry by liking www.facebook.com/dukebook. Watch Duke’s message videos at http://www.Youtube.com/VisitDuke).
