One of my fave songs from last season’s phenomenal show choir season went as follows:
“Before last night, I was down on my luck
There was nothing going my way
Before last night, wasn’t feeling the love
No reason for a smile on my face
But I was always told, ‘You could turn it around,
Do it for the light of day
So get yourself together, head out on the town
The music gets you feelin’ okay’
Now I’m on a roll, and I’m losing control cause
I got that sunshine, it’s like the world is mine
I can’t deny I’m feelin’ good
Can’t stop from smiling, I’m bottled lightning
Oh, deep inside, I’m feelin’ good
All my heartbreak, my long and rainy days
Are gone, and now I can’t complain
Everything’s all right, I’m feelin’ so alive
I can’t deny I’m feelin’ good…
I got that sunshine, the world is mine
I’m feelin’ good
I feel it deep inside, I can’t deny
I’m feelin’ good
Everything’s all right, I’m so alive
I’m feelin’ good, I’m feelin’ good…”
The above song was from the talented Christina Grimmie, an American singer who found success via NBC’s “The Voice” in 2014.
On Friday night, after a concert, for currently unknown reasons, a 27 year old man intentionally shot and killed Christina, as she signed autographs at a merchandise table. Grimmie was only 22.
I’m reminded of our post only ten days ago, quoting the poignantly piercing words of Sheryl Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook. Sandberg delivered an unusual, albeit beautiful commencement address, where she recalled the unexpected, tragic loss of her young husband. Cutting through any comfort or coziness of the crowd, she asked the graduates:
“… Can you ask yourselves to live as if you had eleven days left?”
Realisticly, I don’t know that I can do that. And yet, none of us know the hour or the day. Christina Grimmie had no idea Friday would be mark the expiration of her days.
And so the question before us is not how long we live but whether we live our lives well… Do we live them for a greater purpose? Are we intentional? Do we do what we’re called to do? Do we encourage another? Do we come to grips with who God is and what he asks of his people?
What have we valued that matters so little?
What molehills have we made into mountains?
And what have we missed that means so much?
Where are we blind?
Sorry… my deep thoughts are plenty this day. It’s just that murder disturbs me. While the Intramuralist will always advocate for mercy, grace, and forgiveness in incredibly generous portions, I also believe that murder is a most arrogant act.
May God be with the family of Christina Grimmie. She only lived a short time, but “I can’t deny” she made her mark on me. I will forever both smile and shed tears at her song.
Respectfully…
AR