Growing up I had several musical groups I listened to. Early on it was the Beatles, Turtles, Credence, Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons, and my all-time favorite, Tommy James & the Shondells. (But you already knew that didn’t you Floyd?).
Saturday night I turned on the TV to watch some scores and while I was surfing came across a docudrama about the Temptations. “My Girl.” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” “Just My Imagination.” “You’re My Everything.” And more. They were a hit making soul machine throughout the 60s and into the 70s. But like many other singers, then and now, they had their secrets. Secrets which caught up to them.
David Ruffin died of a cocaine overdose.
Eddie Kendricks died of lung cancer from a lifetime of chain smoking.
Paul Williams died of alcoholism and a gunshot wound.
A later addition died of a drug overdose.
The group, even though they had been childhood friends from the same neighborhood, was rocked by strife, arguments, and mistrust. Marriages ended. Jealousy was huge.
We often look at people with stars in our eyes. Proof positive? Check out the reaction of today’s paparazzi as they “hound” celebrities. TV. Sports. Movies. You name it. Recent revelations show they also carry secrets.
Me? I like my anonymity. But guess what? I have secrets too. We all do. We might say, “I’m on open book. What you see is what you get.” But my wager is…not completely. Past and present mistakes. Past and present indiscretions. Past and present regrets take their toll.
Complete honesty is hard. We fear exposure. We fear expulsion. We fear not being loved and accepted. Full disclosure puts fear in the stoutest heart. But there is ONE who knows us as we are…all our sins…all our failures…all our secrets…and still loves us unconditionally. HE makes us new, beyond our imagination.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts? … Just one. Amen.
🙂
I think it’s hard to be transparent. We’re afraid people won’t like the real us.
Exactly.
” All that is in the dark will be brought out into the light.”
We can fool others…even ourselves…but not Him.
But the one who died for us, has taken upon Himself all those ugly secrets. That we might not perish.
Thanks be to God.
And thank you, Bill, for a very needed reminder. Of both law…and of gospel.
I used this thought for my Communion thought yesterday Stephen and emphasized the unconditional love of God…in spite of our secrets.
I’m certain Floyd is familiar with the groups your listed 🙂
I’m more of a Rolling Stones fan than a Beatles but I did (do) enjoy their music!!
As I read your post I thought of other celebrities who had their secrets that lead to their death. It’s sad.
With all the Reality TV out there I’m shocked that more people don’t realize that being famous isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Having money and fame does not equate happiness.
True joy is found in Christ. I pray that this holiday season people will take the time to stop shopping and be thankful. To draw closer to our Savior than to the pretty presents.
I know he is TC. he also knows I like Tommy James. 🙂 Was never fond of either the Beatles or (def not) the Rolling Stones. You are right about true joy being found in Christ.
Hi Bill! I think it’s hard to be 100% transparent, because there are few people who truly know themselves. I don’t think I know myself very well…but what I do really like is listening to other’s experiences and how they learned from them.
It’s so sad to hear about talented people who are destroyed by their jealousy and addiction. I can’t help but wonder what they would have done if they didn’t have to deal with all that stuff. Reality TV often unearths the crazy stuff in people because the producers know it sells. I guess we get what we deserve on TV?
Blessings,
Ceil
Totally agree Ceil. Having people know the real “me” (which like you said we hardly know) is scary. it is sad to see talent wasted. Thanks.
Yeah, it’s weird to see how many people in the music world got lost in drugs and alcohol…and fame. It’s so sad, really.
Sure, I’ve got secrets. In fact, the Bible tells us that even our own hearts can be deceitful. So, sometimes the secret sins are unknown even to myself. Thank goodness that God forgives me of the secret stuff I know about, and loves me enough to convict me of the stuff I might overlook.
May the life we live on the outside come into alignment with the person that lives on the inside. And that is only achieved through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Might I get out of the way of His work!!
GOD BLESS!
Powerful last paragraph Sharon. no way to say it any better.
Great truths here, Bill. I know I have aspects of my character that I really hope others don’t get glimpses of–thoughts and attitudes that I am ashamed to admit. It’s good to know that God loves us as we are–warts and all.
No argument here Pam. Reckon only know one way-warts and all. No sense in trying to be someone different.
I am sure I will not live long enough to understand Christians. I don’t know why anyone cares if they are loved, or forgiven, or indwelled in by a holy spirit. I don’t really care if anyone even likes me. Most everyone does but I don’t go out of my way to make that happen.
And nearly no one wants to hear about my dirty laundry. Nor do I particularly care to tell them. We all have it. I get that. But so what? No one is perfect.
I don’t fear expulsion or exposure.
And I certainly don’t care about some “celestial get out of jail free card” for whatever screw ups I migh
Looks like your incomplete sentence shows the “screw up” is possible. 🙂 I suspect you never will understand us Jeff. I don’t air my dirty laundry, however, I do have some close friends I will open up to when the time is right.
Secrets can be the end of us. But that’s what a Christian is all about: our secrets are God’s secret.
Thank God for the Blood!
Agree Ed. I thank God He knows and shed His blood for the erasure of those sins.
Yep, I knew that one! I also know that your favorite song from your favorite group isn’t “Draggin’ The Line… Not sure I agree with you on that one, but I digress.
I’m with you completely on living life below the radar. It is a gift that we under cherish. The older I get the more I get it…
I won’t lie that I like Draggin’ the Line but you are right in saying it is not my favorite song. I have this sneaking suspicion you like it under the radar.
I am not sure we should live 100 percent transparent. There are some things need to be kept secret, thing that would hurt others and tear up families. Being real is not sharing all our faults or secrets but not judging others of theirs because we are all cut from the same cookie mold. I love the song, The Ground Is Level At the Foot of the Cross. When we level the ground life takes on a different perspective, secrets or not. Good post brother.
Can’t argue with that Betty. There are definitely people I don’t want to know my faults. Ugly thing called gossip. I firmly believe the ground is level at the foot of the cross. That is good because I have to go there often.
While I purpose to be authentic and honest with everyone, I am not completely revealing of everything either. As you said, only God knows everything. And really, only God SHOULD know everything. There are parts of ourselves that should be kept between us and God. So while we must be known as honest and authentic, I think we also must use discretion and not reveal every detail. There’s often just no use in doing so. I think it can easily become attention-seeking when we do.
you hit on something important Kari. Being open and honest does not necessarily mean being revealing of everything. Knowing when and what to say is really important.
I think a lot of it is also due to money, because after all the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.
That does play a part.