The forum is our support system and we explore and discuss many topics above and beyond treatment. Today, one of the members posed a question about dying. In essence, how is it that we who believe in Christ and heaven, struggle so hard to cling to this earthly life, enduring chemo, pain, loss, seeing death right there in front of us. How do we deal with that?
My response was that it is a natural thing of our physical bodies to cling to life. This life has been good. We want to continue living.
God intended for us to enjoy the joys of this life even while fighting the effects of the death that Adam brought into the world.
As believers in Christ, we recognize that "in Adam we die" and "in Christ we live".
1 Cor 15:22 (Amplified Bible)
"For just as [because of their union of nature] in Adam all people die, so also [by virtue of their union of nature] shall all in Christ be made alive. "
However, knowing that we live in Christ does not take away from our natural (and good) inclination to enjoy our earthly life. We have many joys here and we want to continue in the the love of family and friends, the (good) pleasures of life, the beauty of this earth. It is natural that we would have an inborn desire to continue life as we know it...although without cancer, of course.
As for our fear of death...yeah, I think of the "how" of it, and wonder at the how of it...
will it be painful, etc. But I also believe when that time comes and if it is a long process, that hospice and good medical care during that time will make it as painless as possible and as peaceful as possible. But I think, too, that when we come to that state of "nearing death", that God puts it in us to be accepting of that. When our body becomes weary enough with disease or age, we won't mind laying it down for the last time.As for the "unknownness" of what our afterlife will be like, well, we will not know fully until we get there what awaits us on the other side. Paul explained it to the Corinthians as rather like looking through a dirty window. We can see only dimly now. But then, when we arrive on the other side, we will see it all clearly and fully.
I Cor. 13:12 (Amplified Bible)
"For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]."
Sometimes I look at this life as a grand journey...that I am part of the "story" of God and man. My part is very tiny, yet it is very important, and I need and, indeed, am obligated to God to live it well. And so, I do try to live life the way that God requires of me. I fail miserably as do we all. But I keep putting one foot forward, then the other. I keep moving forward.
The Apostle Paul likens life to a race...and nobody running a race skids to a stop at the finish line and says, "Whoa! I don't want to cross the finish line." No, instead the runner's desire is always to complete the race even if he has to crawl the last distance to the finish line. We're all running a race (walking through this life) and we all will get to the finish line. It's just that it is startling to get close and think...."Wow, the race is almost over!" Even without ovarian cancer, it is startling to become "old" and be nearing the end of our lives here on earth. Our grandparents must have been just as startled as we are. And their grandparents before them.
And while I cling to this life and love this life, I also look forward to seeing what is on the other side. I will no longer be looking through a dirty window. I will know fully.
This whole thing of "life" is fascinating, don't you think?
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14 comments:
I really liked this post. Thank you!
"Startling" indeed! I don't, that I know of, have cancer, yet I am frequently in mind of the fact that I am dying. Perhaps my own mother's death brought it home, or the fact that my husband works with the dying every day. It's just ever before me. The hard part for me is not dwelling on my sins, mistakes, and failures in light of this - but to continue to hope and trust that the perfection of Christ really will cloak me gloriously in that day.
Excellent post!
This is something we all need to consider, because regardless of our youth or health, only God knows when it's our turn to cross the finish line.
Good post, friend!
As far as I've come in my faith and my walk with God, I still sometimes fear death. I just don't want to know that I am dying and watch my family suffer. I struggle with that. But, I just keep trusting in God, and pray that he will spare me that. I also pray that I will have many more years here with my family, and maybe when it's my time I'll be ready, like you said!
Thanks for another great post :)
Very, very well put. Thanks for this.
I have not been on the support site in a few days and hope to check in soon. Your posts are always a gift, but this is a treasure. I am comforted and reminded of the beauty of here and after. Peace
Beautiful words so eloquently written from your heart.
It was so good to read this today! Three years ago, I battled my way through breast cancer, and wondered a lot about "end of life" things. I wondered if I would have that dying grace and be strong in my faith. I did find out a few things --- I found out what I REALLY believed, what my doubts were, where my fears were, etc. I came away a much stronger person, wanting to use the time I did have left for more eternal values than I had in the past. So good to have been here today! Thank you!
I often wonder how I got so old so quick. Before cancer I figured I had a lot of years left and lived my life that way. Cancer makes you realize that you never really know how many days you have. It was a reality check for me. I have made some different choices in how I live my life, I am much more intentional, I don't take things for granted. If anything good has come from having cancer I guess that would be it. Wonderful post
What a wonderful post! I used to worry about this subject until my daughter passed away of Leukemia.
I have a little story about it. When my daughter had gone through her second bone marrow transplant and it wasn't going well. I prayed that night at the hotel that if the Lord wanted her home I would be Ok with it. Shortly after that we got a call from the hospital to return. On the way there I had a moment that it felt like warm water was being poured over me and I heard my daughter's voice saying "Mom, I am ok now". I then knew that I would see her again one day and it made her passing a little more bearable. I thank God for that opportunity and I have told this story many times to people that just aren't convinced there is a God.
Hugs - Carol
God is using your story to touch others, and He has given you the ability to tell it so well.
Cornfield Quilter, your beautiful story touches my heart!
Thank you once again for a great post!
I'm glad Persis linked to this post. Thank you for such lovely and thought-provoking words. I watched my Dad die just a couple of weeks ago, and it was excruciating to wait, knowing he was nearing taking his last breath. Even though I so wanted him to be with us longer, I knew he was so glad to be free of this life and be with the LORD.
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