MJ the Musical

 I think God creates some people on Earth who are talented beyond measure just to teach us about our gifts and the possibilities that are available if we pursue our talents. My husband, son, and I went to see MJ the Musical the other day at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC).  It was an incredible show that took us on a beautiful journey through Michael Jackson’s one-of-a-kind life.  Mose and Cinco wore the red jacket with tons of zippers from the Beat It video and received lots of attention for those jackets. People loved the jackets!  I wore a Rhythm Nation-style outfit to represent one of my favorite Jackson family members.  We had a blast. The whole experience really got me to think about MJ’s life and how it truly was an example for us all. 

Michael was a talented singer from childhood, so his skill was there early on.  His parents noticed and encouraged his skills.  They would often take MJ and his brothers around to different venues to perform.  The narrative presented to us is that Joseph Jackson, his father, was an abusive, controlling, man who forced the children to perform, even harshly directing them to continue when they were tired, as if he were a military captain.  I know MJ did speak about his father in a negative light, so the stories are likely true.  However, I think it is important to note that a huge part of Michael’s success was the fact that he had a supportive family that helped get him started, as well as helped instill a very strong work ethic in him.  His parents encouraged and pushed him and his brothers to do their best. Although they did so in unhealthy ways, this ultimately led MJ to fulfill his destiny.  I would imagine that the performers in the musical had supportive families- or at least role models- that encouraged them along the way, which led them to the Broadway stage. 

Of course, MJ quickly rose to fame and became the number-one pop artist in the world.  His fame and talent even helped break through racial barriers. Before he came along MTV would not play videos from Black artists.  MJ’s music forced MTV to play his videos because his music was so popular.  The MJ musical brings up this fact, which I loved to see because it is important to discuss the true facts of our history so that we do not repeat that behavior. 

His fame and wealth (and of course, the racism) resulted in MJ feeling ostracized from the rest of the world.  He felt alone- different from everyone else.  I mean, who could relate to him? Other than his human qualities, which people tend to overlook when they are focused on greed, those who surrounded him probably felt like they could not relate to him, which likely resulted in inauthentic relationships.  This probably resulted in continued unusual/strange interactions with others.  His mental health was ultimately affected by his life circumstances, which probably caused him to start taking pills to help with his mental and physical pain.  As we know, Michael’s medication use is tragically what ended up taking his life.  I just think that the loneliness that came from the fame and from others' greediness is what ended up killing Michael in the end.  It is a reminder that other people (and the enemy) often try- and unfortunately are successful- to distract us or block us from experiencing the goodness of God that comes from living a purpose-filled life.  If we stay focused on his promises, we won’t be distracted. We won’t be in danger of not experiencing the beautiful life that comes from following God’s plan.

Let’s not let Michael’s death distract us from understanding the true power, example, and beauty of his overall life.  MJ’s story is so incredibly inspiring.  Despite his tragic ending, his life was an example of what can happen if we follow God’s will for our lives and pursue the unique talents and gifts that he gives each of us.  None of us will ever be able to rise to the level of fame that Michael rose to, and we must remember that it came with a cost.  However, we can rise to be the best person that God intended us to be from birth if we just trust him and follow our dreams.  Have you tapped completely into your own unique talents and skills?  Are you working to improve on them so that you can share them with the world?  Are you living the life that God intended for you?  Each of us was created to live a unique, beautiful life and to share our individual talents with others.  When we are not sharing them, we are not living out our destiny.  Imagine all of the doors that will open when you are living out the full life that God planned for you!