This Is It

During the free cinema night for students this past weekend, our school's cinema club showed the recent documentary, "Michael Jackson's This Is It," which detailed the rehearsals and preparation for what would have been a 50-concert event in London to end Michael Jackson's performance career just before his death last June. Watching the film, I was struck by the obvious talent and skills that Michael Jackson still exhibited at age 50, but I also noted in the movie how he seemed to be surrounded by "Yes" men who paid compliments continually and agreed with everything he said, putting him on a pedestal.

This past Sunday, our church congregation just celebrated a class of new members. Why do I bring this up? How could these two subjects be related? During the introduction of the new members, our pastor made a point that reminded me of the film. He noted that belonging to the church body is crucial for believers; it's not just a formality that we entertain from time to time. I appreciated how our pastor described one aspect of church membership as coming before a body of believers and stating, "In a moment of clarity, this is what I believe. Come and get me, come find me, if I start to go astray." As members of the church, we submit to its authority, knowing that our fellow believers are there to support us, encourage us, and confront us when we lose ourselves.

Reflecting again upon the film, I was saddened remembering how Michael Jackson's life ended short after receiving anesthetics from his personal physician, reportedly a long-time habit that he had been permitted to develop. I wondered, where were the friends and loved ones in his life to intervene on his behalf and for his sake? I realize I can't answer that question; perhaps his family and friends did intervene and unsuccessfully try to put an end to dangerous decisions. But I'm thankful that a key message that I didn't anticipate coming away from the film with was being reminded of the importance of belonging to the church body, of which Christ is the head, who surround and support us in our triumphs and tragedies. Ephesians 4 encourages the body of believers to bear with one another and build each other up in love as we look forward to maturity of our faith and fullness in Christ. When I question where I can find and experience God's love, guidance, and even accountability, I find comfort knowing that I can look to my family and the body of believers that I belong to, saying, "This is it."