Forty years ago today, September 18th 1970, Jimi Hendrix died aged only 27 from choking after drinking heavily at a party then taking seven sleeping pills. He is remembered for many things not least being recognised as probably the greatest guitarist of all time leaving a back catalogue of great hits. His professional career only lasted four years but Jimi lived that time at 100 miles an hour. He attracted attention where ever he performed with his wild guitar playing style and outlandish image, his legacy lives on in his music and scores of young guitarist dreaming being the next Hendrix.
The sad truth is that, like in so many other famous lives, his professional success could only mask and not heal his personal unhappiness and feelings of depression. On the day he died Jimi began to write a new song called the story of life in which he penned the lines; "The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye, the story of love is hello and goodbye, until we meet again". He was never able to finish the lyrics but they clearly speak of a man who recognised the briefness of his life. During the party that night Jimi left his last spoken words on the answerphone of his manager saying "I am in bad trouble man, real bad".
As we travel through our busy days I am sure you get asked or ask someone else how they are many times over and 99 times out of 100 I'm sure the answer we give and receive is "I'm fine". This is partially because that is the sociably acceptable answer and maybe if we walked around telling people how we really are they would soon stop asking. No-one really knows what goes on in the mind of another human and it is never easy to truly tell someone how we feel deep down.
There is one who really does know and care and with whom we can share our very deepest thoughts, concerns and fears and that is God who is always only a prayer away.
Maybe today we can take a little time out of our day to ask someone close how they are really and be ready to spend five minutes listening, most people don't want an answer or advice just someone to listen. It may just be the case that you are the only person who has asked them all day or even all week, that conversation may achieve nothing but it could change their life. I think it could have for Jimi and it may be that your friend is silently crying out in the same way "I'm in bad trouble man, real bad".
Why not tell God today how you really feel and ask him to help you, he wont wave a magic wand and solve all you problems in one go but he will help you as you journey along the way.
How are you doing really?
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
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