The world admires its pop stars. And Robbie Williams is one of the more outrageous ones.
If this book is to be believed then Robbie lives a life of no restraint. If he can party, he'll party. If he can be the centre of attention, he'll make the most of it. If he feels he hasn't impressed his audience enough, then be ready for some shocking behaviour.
How much of this book is based on truth, I cannot be sure. Knowing that we shouldn't believe everything we read in the newspapers, this book reads like one long newsstand magazine. The author, Emily Herbert, is a UK based journalist who has a number of books to her name. Each book follows the life of a notable personality.
On reading about Robbie Williams’ life I am left with the impression that he is the perpetual teenager. He finds normal life boring. He has a drive to prove himself to others as being likeable, successful and funny. Other people describe him as having a charismatic personality that wins him friends. However reading of his antics in this book, what he finds funny, others would find inappropriate and crude.
Robbie Williams first came on to the pop scene when he was cast as one of the members of the boy band called "Take That'. Having joined the band at the age of 15 many of his early experiences have left a lasting impression on him. As he turned 21 he felt the controlling nature of the band's management too much to bear that he broke free to pursue a solo career.
He is supremely competitive. He is cheeky and arrogant. He hates to be anything less than a winner. When things are not going well for him in the pop charts he can become deeply depressed. Like many a pop star he has experienced the lows of consuming excess alcohol and drugs.
This is not the first book about Robbie Williams. An internet search reveals that there are already up to six books on the life of Robbie. Each one promising to reveal the secret truths of his life.
My observations lead me to believe that Williams has lost himself in the trappings of this world and the lies that Satan allows us to believe. The lie that tells us life is all about sex, money and fame. The lie that says you can find fulfilment in these things. The lie that says you should seek these things and, when you find them, keep striving after more.
In chasing these life experiences Williams has had his fair share of the lows that life can bring. Jealousy. Disappointment. Broken loyalties. Lost friendships. These experiences bring confusion when there is no hope in what the future holds.
Of course, as Christians, life can be interesting and fun. It is good to have music in our lives. To be with friends and good company is relaxing. Life can be enjoyed. But without Jesus in our lives there is no fulfilment in these things. Without Jesus in our lives all we strive after is worth nothing.
In the Bible we learn that as Christians in Christ "everything is permissible " but not everything is beneficial. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others". (1 Corinthians 10: 23,24)
Christians at times are viewed as boring and overly serious. However, we know the true value of being in a relationship with our God. We will be given the keys to the kingdom of heaven. We will be granted free access to the life that will come after this one on earth. We know that life here is sometimes beautiful, sometimes disappointing, but in heaven, it will be mind blowingly stupendous!
Is this book worth reading? In a word, no! There is nothing edifying in this book. If anyone wants their children to grow up to become people of noble character then choose someone else to emulate.
Pop stars value what others think of them. As Christians we value what God thinks.
Pop stars live to please themselves and their fans. As Christians we live to please God.
Pop stars want the whole world to know that "love is the answer" (to all the world's problems).
As Christians we want the whole world to know that Jesus is the answer!
As Christians we live to let the whole world know that God created them and longs to have them know Him.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities"”his eternal power and divine nature"”have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)
