Does Life Rock for Rockers?

We didn’t need a formal study to tell us the life of a star is not all that its cracked up to be. And yet ‘life in the fast lane’ is filled with intrigue.

People who quickly dismiss fame and fortune as shallow, empty and short-lived achievements are still intrigued by those who travel down that road. They take a second glance at their faces on glitzy magazine covers; they read the latest gossip about their lives; they listen to their music; watch their movies; follow their latest escapades; and usually can add a tidbit or two when their name comes up in a conversation.

An analysis of the deaths of rock stars over the past 40 years has confirmed what we already knew: life in the fast lane is filled with danger, disappointment and disillusionment and yes – death!

Professor Mark Bellis analyzed the lives of 1050 rock stars in America and Europe who found fame between 1956 and 1999. All featured in the All-Time Top 1,000 Albums list selected in 2000. His report was published in Britain’s Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. The average life expectancy for a rock or pop star in America was 42 years and 35 years in Europe.

The first five years of fame seem to be the deadliest. Once you get five famous years under your belt the risk decreases. You are then only twice as likely to die earlier than others.

(1) http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23410931-details/Live+fast,+die+young:+Why+rock+stars+are+such+a+lousy+insurance+risk/article.do

Does life rock for rockers? Along with fame, glamour and money comes access to a world of shallow pleasure often clouded by alcohol, poisoned with drugs and laced with sex. Recklessness. Carelessness. Emptiness.

Big nights followed by rough days. Brightly lit stages followed by a dark hotel room. Loud music followed by silent heart cries. Fun filled antics and broad care-free smiles mask the lonely disillusionment of their lives.

Let’s face it: life for a rock star does NOT rock. The music may rock. The rhythm may pulsate. The blood may boil. The vocal chords may strain and gyrating muscles may stretch. Bank accounts may mushroom and wardrobes may grow. Toys and accessories may multiply. But is that really all there is to life?

When all of that has been achieved, then what? Where is fulfillment when your talent has been showcased and your fame has peaked? When your successes have led to your excesses, then what?

Maybe you will never be a rock icon; maybe you’ll never make it to an Idol Contest and maybe you don't aspire to be a star of any kind. But what about your life? Have you found peace? Are you satisfied? Do you have inner contentment?

Nothing in this world can bring true satisfaction and peace to the human heart. You were designed to have a personal relationship with your Creator – God. Until that positive relationship is established, no amount of fame or success will bring you settled peace. You will continue to experience inner unrest. When such a vital link is absent, it’s no big wonder you feel like you are ‘missing something’ and have an inner craving for ‘more.’

Here’s the bad news: sin severed our relationship with God. There is nothing we can do ourselves to reconnect with God. Sin is the big barrier and we can not cancel out our sins. In this state, we can’t have a relationship with God and we can not go to Heaven.

Here’s the good news: Jesus died for your sins 2000 years ago. He paid sin’s penalty and through Jesus Christ you can have your debt of sins wiped-out. In its place you can enjoy a beautiful and very real relationship with God by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.

Jesus never promised that He could make your life ‘rock’ – whatever that word means. But here is what He did promise: “I am come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

We think of stars and icons as living in life’s fast lane – but the reality is: we are all traveling down the road of life faster than we could ever imagine. Sooner than we think, we too will reach the end of the road.

Then what? Then where?