Forgive our sins,
as we forgive everyone
who has done wrong to us.
And keep us
from being tempted.’”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is ending up with people who make you feel all alone.” - Robin Williams as Lance Clayton in World’s Greatest Dad (2009)
Is there anyone over the age of 16 who doesn’t know at least some of the work of Robin McLaurin Williams? When the 63-year-old actor/comedian was found dead yesterday...the victim of an apparent suicide...social media and cable news networks lit up with recollections of his life...and suppositions about its end. One Facebook friend, who is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), posted, “Who I feel sad for are his wife, children, friends and loved ones. Suicide is so pointless & selfish.”
Many years ago, an acquaintance of mine took her own life. At her funeral, the pastor addressed this head-on. He noted that many consider suicide to be a sin...an act of “murder”, so to speak. He also said that we naturally ask, “How could this person do this? It’s so selfish...so hurtful and cruel to those left behind!” But he said of this person, “This was not the 'Jane' (not her real name) we knew and loved. She would never have done this were she in her right mind. Something was terribly wrong...she was so tormented in some way that her mental state was altered. Some people believe that even Christians who commit suicide go to hell. I believe that God understands their suffering and makes an allowance."
Forgive our sins, as we forgive everyone
who has done wrong to us.
Yes, suicide seems selfish to those of us who are left behind to grieve and wonder how we could have prevented it. Did we miss obvious signs? Were there things we could have done to prevent it? Were we too busy...too disinterested...too self-absorbed? We worry about our loved ones...in taking their own life, did they “sell their soul to the devil”? Are they doomed to hell for all eternity for this?
Forgive our sins, as we forgive everyone
who has done wrong to us.
who has done wrong to us.
I don't think that anyone in their "right mind" would choose suicide...including Robin Williams. I don't believe that he would have purposely done this to his family and friends. Like my friend, I believe that Williams was so mentally tortured that he felt he had no other alternative. He may have believed that everyone else would be better off without him around to drag them down and cause them unnecessary worry and unhappiness.
Depression is insidious...and heartbreaking for everyone it affects...including onlookers. Couple depression with alcohol or drug addiction, and you potentially have the recipe for a ticking time bomb. As distressing and tragic as this loss – and others like it – are for all of us, I believe our job as Christians is to extend mercy and compassion to everyone involved...including the victim. Rather than impose our own selfishness and indignation that someone would “do this to us”...let’s consider the torment that may have overwhelmed this person and clouded his/her thoughts and actions. Like my former pastor, I believe that this is exactly what God does when a Christian succumbs to suicide.
Forgive our sins, as we forgive
everyone who has done wrong to us.
everyone who has done wrong to us.
I pray that we find it in our hearts to offer mercy and forgiveness to those who “wrong” us in some way – or those whom we feel have wronged us, whether this was truly their intention or not. May we be tenderhearted toward them and offer compassion for whatever pain and suffering may have plagued their hearts and minds. I pray that God will help us not to judge others...or to selfishly impose OUR hurts and indignations on them.
James Lipton, the host of a program called “Inside the Actors Studio,” once interviewed Robin Williams and asked him... “If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?” Williams replied, “There’s seating near the front!” I trust that Robin Williams had a relationship with Jesus...and that God has welcomed him with open arms and taken every single heartache and burden from him...and filled him with complete peace and joy.
Williams also told James Lipton that he hoped there was laughter in heaven. So do I! Maybe Robin Williams will be there - near the front, creating a few chuckles of his own! Meanwhile, I pray that we will become more aware of the burdens and sufferings of others...that we will offer them love, compassion, grace and mercy. I pray that Robin Williams’ death will serve as a reminder that “there is a heartache on every pew” – as my pastor tells us often. May we act in such a way that we reflect the amazing love and mercy of Jesus to everyone we encounter...and share His message of hope with each of them.
©2014 Debbie Robus
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