It amazes me how Whitney and MJ changed the world in less than 50 years of living.

MJ: When MTV refused to play music by African American artists MJ created music videos that were so good that they could not be ignored. He opened the door for artists from all ethnic backgrounds making it “acceptable” for a face of color to come across the television screen and into the homes of America.  He made the music video a respected art and brought MTV to a new level of fame as an outlet for artists.  MJ opened a burn center with the money he received from the Pepsi incident where his hair and scalp were burned, he donated millions of funds to charities that aid African children, gave millions to the 9/11 victims, AIDS research, etc.  He was listed in the Guinness book of world records as the most charitable celebrity.  MJ’s salvation was unknown at his time of death.

Whitney:  At a time when African American women were trying to fight their way into the main stream – Whitney presented to the world an elegant art that changed the face of African American music and opened the door for many of the artists that are household names today.  She was attractive, beautiful without being raunchy – she showed the world that a woman of color was also a woman of class.  Whitney was a stalwart supporter of the anti-apartheid movement both physically and financially,  she supported the United Negro College Fund, she founded a  charity that cared for the homeless and children with cancer and AIDS, supported charities to combat ane research juvenile diabetes, supported St. Judes children’s research hospital, etc.  It is widely held that Whitney was a believer.

Both Whitney and MJ are known to have abused their bodies with drugs – and both died questionable deaths that were both shocking and untimely.  Neither of them were doing what they were doing to further the work of the kingdom of God by bringing the lost to a saving knowledge of Christ.  But there is no question in my mind that they used the gifts and abilities within them to benefit not only themselves, but also the world!  Their accomplishments are still having lasting impact and will for generations to come.

So – for those of us who call ourselves by the name of Christ – those of us who are filled with the transformational power of the Holy Spirit — what will WE do to change the world?

Our Lord Christ healed the sick, raised the dead, made the lame walk, made the dumb talk, brought forgiveness of sin and then he said to us

The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. John 14:12

We can criticize the lives of these two greatly talented souls – or we can make a decision to do even greater things in the world for the sake of His glory.   God created each one of us for global impact in order that He might receive global glory. If you’re breathing – He can use you. Be available. Be used. Be a blessing.

Expect great things from God. Accomplish great things for God. — William Carey