Williams deadHollywood is once again confronted by the “all-too-early” death of one of its silver screen icons.

News headlines across America Monday night announced the tragic news that funny man, Robin Williams was dead and suspected of taking his own life.  The genius that made us laugh as a nation and temporarily set aside our own disappointments was unable to do the same.

Williams made an enviable living entertaining and making the world laugh; however, the naked reality is he was void of joy and fulfillment in his own soul.

Some might protest, “He had everything!”  Whatever Williams had– family, fame and fortune was obviously not enough to sustain his soul with a living, lasting hope.

The outpouring of sorrow following the news of Williams’ RobinWilliamssuicide is a reminder that, in spite of her flaws and failures, the soul of America is still tender to the finality of death…albeit a shallow, self-focused realization of our own mortality.  Like many of you, Robin Williams has been part of my life and I acknowledge my shock that the man who could bring so much laughter to our world was unable to find a spark of hope for tomorrow.

Authentic Christians have a living, eternal hope– not in this world, but in the sacrificial death, burial and “resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).  I wish Robin Williams had known that hope for the sake of his own soul (1 Peter 1:3-5).  My friend, while you sorrow the tragic suicide of a genius that made us laugh, I urge you to ponder the destiny of your soul.

lose-the-world-soulI close with a verse that haunts me as I read the outpouring of accolades and sympathy for Robin Williams:

Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”