The world will sell you on the notion that there are many paths to heaven. There is only one. They will sell you on the notion that we all serve the same God. We do not. I do not say this because of elitism, selfishness, meanness or spite. I say it because God said it. I heard someone say recently that you never attend the funeral of a no good scoundrel. The inference being that out of respect everyone only says the nice things when standing over a coffin. Likewise, we already hear the resounding chorus of, "she's in a better place" when it comes to Amy Winehouse. I am telling you today that she is not. It brings me absolutely no pleasure say so. It saddens me greatly because while we are alive, we rarely deal with the death that is approaching us all. We say trite sayings to make ourselves feel better but I am telling you that unless Amy Winehouse got her soul right with God before she died, she is absolutely in a worse place. This life can be harsh and we dream of a "better place" all the time. We want to believe that place exists. We need to believe that place exists. The good news is that it does. The bad news is that you do not gain admission merely by dying in this life. How you live counts. What you buy into on this earth counts. This poor girl was 27 years old beloved. We do not know when our life will be required of us. When it is, we better be right with God; or the life of Amy Winehouse will seem like heaven compared to an eternity separated from God.
Heavy drinking and drug use. Eating disorder. Self abuse and cutting. Depression. I am telling you today do not believe the lies this world sells you. This is how they end. This is how the world's promises are kept. In the tragic death of Amy Winehouse I pray you find the glorious life that can only be found in Christ Jesus.
Reverend Anthony Wade July 25, 2011