The tragic death of TV presenter Caroline Flack (the fourth suicide related to the Love Island dating show) raises issues that our hedonistic culture refuses to face – like the true purpose of life, and love.
As part of the plethora of so-called ‘reality’ programmes, this modern version of Blind Date involves bikini-clad singles looking for love in an idyllic paradise location that is most unreal.
Instead it creates a fantasy world designed to trap millions of voyeuristic viewers as contestants feel obliged to act out some form of eroticism to keep audiences tuned in (or should I say turned on).
But there’s a better way for living, and loving, for which I have three new witnesses.1
David
David, from an Orthodox Jewish background, was living the high life in America “with all the pleasures the world had to offer” – but they didn’t lead to happiness. He knew there must be something deeper to life, so started reading the Bible.
When he read in Psalm 22 the phrase “they pierce my hands and my feet” (verse 16), he wondered if it was referring to Jesus on the Cross. So he called his mother, who scolded him, saying: “That’s a Gentile book! We are forbidden to read it.” She thought he was reading from the New Testament, but it was from the Old (i.e. the Hebrew Bible).
His search continued until one day he came across a painting of Abraham offering Isaac as a sacrifice to God while, immediately above it, there was a picture of Jesus on the Cross – God offering his Son as a sacrifice for us. David got the connection and decided to follow Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) who, he came to realise, was not only Messiah but also God.
Unfortunately, all this coincided with tragedies in his family, and it was suggested that his new life may have contributed to their troubles. In any case, they felt he had betrayed his people. But in time his parents noticed how much he had changed. “I was a typical Israeli ‘punk’. You name it, I smoked it.” With an explosive temperament, he was tainted by swearing, pride and impatience and had been addicted to smoking and drugs.
But he left all that behind and now takes to the streets of Tel Aviv to share the message that turned his life around. “Yeshua was what I was missing my whole life. His peace changed my heart and transformed me for good…and I just fell in love with Him.”2
The tragic death of TV presenter Caroline Flack raises issues that our hedonistic culture refuses to face – like the true purpose of life, and love.
Joseph
My second witness is Joseph Shabalala, founder of the Ladysmith Black Mambazo band that brought fresh fame to my home town (previously famous only for its role in the Anglo-Boer War), along with the colour and dynamism of South African music to the world. Joseph has just died, aged 78.
The group achieved international success and recognition through their collaboration with Paul Simon (of Simon and Garfunkel), who said: “I admired him for his music and his godly spirit.”
Joseph became a Christian in 1976 and the band’s repertoire subsequently featured many gospel songs including 'Knocking on Heaven’s Door'. He faced tragedy through the death of loved ones including his beloved first wife who was gunned down near their home after 30 years of marriage.
But those closest to him say that it was his faith in God that held him through trying times – and now heaven’s door has been opened to him.3
Donald
My third witness is US President Donald Trump who, if we are to believe the negative press reports of his past, had led a wild life of serial womanising on his way up the ladder to business – and now political – success.
But in November 2013 he was invited to the 95th birthday party of the late evangelist Billy Graham where, in response to the preaching of the gospel, Donald is reported (by Billy’s son Franklin) to have made a profession of faith in Christ.4
He became President in 2016, surrounded himself with Christian advisors and made some very radical decisions including the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital. He has also begun the process of unravelling abortion laws responsible for the murder of some 46 million unborn children in the US alone since 1970. Yet he is widely hated and vilified, even among Christians.
There is a cost to becoming a serious Christian, but the price of investing all your hopes in earthly pleasures which fail to fulfil even in this life is infinitely higher.
True Love, True Life
There is, of course, a cost to becoming a serious Christian, but the price of investing all your hopes and dreams in earthly pleasures which fail to fulfil even in this life, is infinitely higher. For Jesus asks: “What will it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
As for love, I met my wife on a ‘blind date’ set up by a mutual friend. It turned out to be a divine appointment in God’s perfect timing – so that it was indeed, in more than one sense, an arranged marriage made in heaven.
There is no need to strive, search and chase for a love match that can be so elusive. Our Creator has our best interests at heart. True fulfilment can only be found in him, leading to “life that is truly life” (1 Tim 6:19) and, perhaps, your perfect partner too!
References
1 Testimonies I have not shared before
2 Maoz Israel Report, February 2020, used with permission. For more details of their work, see www.maozisrael.org
3 Gateway News, South Africa, 13 February 2020
4 Reported in a blog post by Rev RT Kendall, who met Franklin at a recent luncheon event
