Nicole Symmonds: July 2009 Archives

Yesterday, many around the world gathered to watch the Michael Jackson memorial. There were those who were lucky enough to get tickets and then there were those, like myself, who were resigned to watching it on their computer screens. But regardless of where you were and regardless of whether you were the biggest Michael Jackson fan or his biggest detractor, you could sense that there was an unmistakable spiritual energy all about the Staples Arena yesterday afternoon.

Within the first 15 minutes of the memorial service, I found myself crying at my desk--which is why this wasn't written yesterday. It started when I caught the tail end of the old gospel song "Soon and Very Soon" being sung as pallbearers brought in Michael's golden, red rose covered casket. Then in came Lionel Richie to sing "Jesus is Love." Queen Latifah read a poem by Maya Angelou entitled "We Had Him" which, within the first line stated, "Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing, now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind." And then there was Stevie Wonder, who in his wonderful way, sat in front of his keys and remarked that though we all may want Michael here with us now, God probably has more need of him. It was at that moment that I realized that this memorial was being made even bigger than the star it was celebrating, it became an occasion to glorify the creator of the created star.