Wasted Life

It is appointed for people to die once, and after this, judgment. Hebrews 9:27

The life and death of Anna Nicole Smith is a sad story. I only know about her the little I have seen in the news casts over the years, and the incredible amount of press that has followed her final months of life, and her death. It’s not an unusual story, just one that got more publicity than some others.

It does remind us that life can be wasted. I don’t say that to be unkind, but the legacy which remains is the tragedy of one who succumbed to the lure of the Evil One embracing the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. Her son experienced a tragic death. Her daughter will have to grow up without a natural family, discovering the stigma of her mother as a sexual icon, with several men claiming to be her biological father. Her personal assets will be contested for years, and in the end, her mother and others battled in court over her remains.

How many times has history told this narrative? How many more young women will be exploited by evil men who are seduced by the rottenness at the core of our society. How many young women will never discover the richness of a Godly marriage and the incredible joy of motherhood and the self-sacrifice of building a home on the foundation of Truth and righteousness? For many, like Anna Nicole, tragedy will encompass their days and the brief and fleeting pleasure of sin will end in death.

How important is what we do? How vital is our ministry to the youth of our community? How will they hear unless we sound a clear and accurate warning? How will we reach the goal unless we are willing to be sent by the Spirit of God into the lives of those most vulnerable?