Gary Speed: More to Live For

  The shocking news that Gary Speed was found dead over the weekend has brought many things to the forefront of personal and national thought this week.  The tributes in football matches, the prompting of others in the sport to seek help and a general widespread discussion on suicide throughout the world have been powerful food for thought.  Why did he do it?  Would would anyone do it?  Was there really nothing for him to live for?

A Leeds fan pays tribute during their match with Forest last night. (dailymail.co.uk)

  Martin Samuel of the Daily Mail wrote a very good piece about why Speed's apparent suicide should not be romanticised, commenting on the competitive mourning that seems to go on through society in these sorts of situations: "We must be careful. We must not allow our respect and sadness to mutate into glorification".

  He also wrote of the example that celebrities' lives are to the public watching on: 

"And if Speed — successful footballer, successful manager, wealthy, good-looking, family man, well liked and respected — cannot hack it, how can I?  

That is the dangerous thought process inspiring suicide contagion. Speed’s death only adds to the sum of misery. If he could find nothing to live for, what chance me in my miserable life?"

  There are many around who live like this, with nothing to live for who see suicide as the only escape but I really don't believe that to be true.  Before anyone knows they have been born, there is a God who is ready to love them and welcome them into His family.  He became a human and experienced every kind of hurt you could imagine so that He could be in a place to do that.  He says "Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you" (Psalm 50:15), He promises "come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest...you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

  Sometimes there can just be something missing, something that nothing seems to be able to fill.  Let God truly be God in your life and He will prove that He is the only thing that can fill that gap.  He freely offers His love and His family to all and ultimately, an eternity with Him.  There is something more to live for in life and it will last forever.