The Tragedy of Robin Williams

At the risk of making the story sadder than it already is, here are my thoughts reading the recent passing of the legend that was Robin Williams.

I was floored when I saw the posts on Facebook. I honestly thought it was a hoax. But it wasn't. I am devastated, but not because another Hollywood star has burned out. But because of how he burned out. The man was comedy gold for years! He was comedian. And he took his own life because of depression (I'm assuming this is the case, even though his publicist won't admit it). We all spent years laughing at his antics. My friends and I still laugh when we quote lines from Mrs. Doubtfire. Yet, he felt so alone and lost that he took his own life.

I can't help but identify with him. During high school, I spent a lot of time laughing and making others laugh, while I was hurting on the inside. The moment the lights were off and I was alone, the tears would come out. But no one knew I was in pain. How could I be? I always seemed so happy. I was always joking around and laughing. It was a very good mask. One that Robin seemed to be wearing as well. 

I can't help but think about the sermon Andrew Youngblood preached on Sunday. To Seek and to Save the Lost. Robin was lost. He was right in front of us all the time, and yet he was lost. Somewhere along the way, things stopped being funny for him. He lost his way and got on a path that lead to his destruction. Why didn't someone invite themselves into his life? Why didn't anyone do something? Surely, someone must have noticed that something was amiss somewhere! Right??? Why didn't anyone do anything? Why did Robin feel like there was no hope? Nowhere to turn. Nothing to live for. Why? Why? Why?

The question beats in my head and my heart. Someone tweeted this about him: Genie, you're free. It's heart-wrenching. One of his most beloved characters is such a clear depiction of what his life must have become. Feeling trapped and chained by circumstances beyond his control. No place to breath, no one to share in his misery. And yes, he's free from all that now. But what unspeakable horrors will he be forced to face in the afterlife? What brief temporary relief did he receive in his last moments? Before he met the Creator. My heart is broken just thinking about it. The tragedy is that he made an eternal decision out of desperation for something more. 

I understand that Robin was a movie star and perhaps out of our reach. But what about the people around you? What about your co-workers? The single moms in your play group? Your neighbors? Your friends? The good church kids who are bleeding on the inside and laughing on the outside? Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. When He left this earth, He passed that task on to us. We've got to better people, myself included. Let's take the tragedy of Robin Williams and turn it into a lesson for all of us. Laughter is a good mask. It covers a lot of things. Let's not be so blind to let someone we love slip away again. Let's not forget our mission on this earth - to seek and to save the lost....whoever they may be and however they found themselves lost.