A reverend's insights from the King of Pop's death

Like everyone else, I have been exposed to nonstop Michael Jackson coverage over the past two weeks. Stories about his childhood, numerous playbacks of his songs and countless interviews with Michael, his family and his friends have saturated the media. And yet, with all this coverage, I still write . . . about Michael.

The fact that I am a preacher and that this article appears in the faith column of the Daily News may lead you to believe that I will write about how ridiculous and totally unwarranted all this attention is for a mere human being, especially an entertainer. The coverage, I might say, is evidence of our culture's misdirected priorities and idolatrous nature.

But after watching the memorial, I found myself more interested in mankind's desire to believe in something or someone; in this case, Michael.

I found myself inspired by a man who sought to excel in his craft. I saw a family that was devastated by the loss of a loved one. I saw a mom and dad who have experienced some of life's greatest successes along with its tragedies. I saw a family like yours and mine experiencing, on a larger scale, life.

In the midst of the speeches, singing, inspirational insights and adoration, there was something that kept gnawing at me, and that was the question of purpose, meaning and eternity. I admit that I enjoyed Michael's music and his unique presentations immensely. But did the life that occupied the body in the coffin for 50 years experience any of the joy he gave others? At the end of the day, does music satisfy the deepest longing of the soul? Can it provide real purpose?

I couldn't help thinking about how young Michael was, only 50 years of age, the proverbial vapor that is here, then vanishes away.

2 Peter 3:8 says, "With the Lord, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." Extrapolating, this means that on God's timetable, Michael Jackson lived for only an hour and 12 minutes.

Since life is so short and death is so certain, we must ensure we go through this life living in such a way pleasing to the Lord, full of purpose, meaning and fulfillment, and always aware of eternity.

Augustine, the great North African theologian, once said, "Every human being is born with a vacuum that only Christ can fill. If we try to put anything in that vacuum except Christ, it will never satisfy, but only give way to a deeper craving."

Anything is an inclusive word. It's money, fame, relationships, influence, materialism, children, music, and even knowledge. To those of us who admired the genius of Michael Jackson and grew up on his music, it includes him as well. When everyone got together to sing "We Are the World" I wasn't thinking of the physically hungry as much as all those who are spiritually starving for what only the Lord can provide. Christ came, died and rose from the dead to feed hungry souls. Now there's something to sing and dance about! *

The Rev. Gregory Johnson is pastor of Greater Saint Matthew Independent Church at 5544 Race St.