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Feel free BLOG your Komment! Read the UNEDITED Komments left by some very expressive students!
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Subject Saturday & Sunday, April 6-7, 2002
Date
Mon Apr 8 22:29:
Author Karla with a K
(karlawak4@aol.com)
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Monday, April 1st, was the 18th anniversary of Marvin Gaye's death. He was fatally shot by his minister father after a raging argument that got out of control on April 1, 1984, the day before his 45th birthday. I just finished listening to the radio program "MARVIN GAYE: Pride & Joy," hosted and produced by journalist, Ron Brewington. Ron gave me the two hour program on cassette when I attended the stage production "You're All I Need To Get By: The Marvin Gaye-Tammi Terrell Love Story" on Tuesday, April 2, 2002, which would have been Marvin's 63rd birthday. Needless to say, as of today, I've been drenched in the music and memories of the inimitable Marvin Gaye...and it felt good. Really good.
It felt good to remember this spiritual man who seemed lost and confused in some ways, but who always believed love was the answer and was unashamed to share his pain in his music. Our spiritual journey has many peaks and valleys and he took us on his with every song lyric he wrote and every musical note he sang.
I learned a lot about Marvin Gaye through the play and the radio program that I didn't know, but the spiritual connection I perceived that was present in this man when I first listened to his music, was confirmed.
I believe we move closer to God through our struggles, our lessons, our bad choices and the consequences of those choices. We get closer to God because we gain wisdom and understanding of His Word. Like any good father, God teaches us by chastening us when we need it, but He blesses us richly with the desires of our heart when we please Him. Marvin was chastened in many ways, but he was also richly blessed.
Marvin was inspired by his struggles. That is what made him the special artist he was. He thrived on the joy and pain of his life lessons because they took him closer to God. In spite of his personal pain, like Jesus, Marvin yearned to share his love with others and to teach us to look deeper into ourselves. "What's Goin' On?" is as profound today as it was when he wrote those songs decades ago. The album contains a timeless message of wisdom and consciousness the world still needs to hear and respond to today.
Though he had his "issues," Marvin knew love was the answer, NOT the RELIGION of the church he grew up in that was pastored by his father. Marvin knew it was the love he had in his heart and soul that had healing power.
It seemed that Marvin constantly had to fight to share his gifts. He had stage fright to the point of vomiting before going on stage. He was conflicted by his commitment to his wife, Anna Gordy, and his compassion for Tammi Terrell, who endured an abusive relationship with David Ruffin and suffered an untimely death. Marvin longed to sing pop standards like Sinatra and Como, but he tacitly fought a racist music industry that wanted to box him in. Briefly moving out of that box, he sang the National Anthem in his own unique style at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game, to the thrill of many.
Marvin was capable of doing great things and he knew it, but perhaps the fight became too great. Clearly, his father couldn't handle it. Marvin was at odds with his father at a young age. Marvin lived with purpose and wanted to make a difference, using his gift for BIG things; his father wanted him to serve God in the church. They both had the right idea, however--
Marvin Gaye's musical gift made a BIGGER difference than he'll ever know and it continues to serve God, giving Him musical praise in a church without walls. See how God works? He told us in Romans 8:28.
By the way, Marvin also wanted to be remembered...he was ultimately blessed with the desires of his heart.
...may God bless us all, karla with a k
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