THOUGHT ABOUT DEATH, LATELY?
Jonathan Edwards, the gifted preacher and theologian of the eighteenth century once remarked that we Christians should think about Heaven every day because we will spend eternity in Heaven and only a few years on earth. Edwards died at the age of fifty-three after contacting Smallpox disease. I believe Edwards was correct in urging his congregation to think of Heaven every day which included thinking about death because the death of a Christian is the path to Heaven.
I do not think about death that often because I still consider myself young though I realize I am in denial about turning sixty this year. When I was twenty-two years old I spent a year thinking about death due to the fact that I suffered some complications from a kidney ailment that almost removed me from God’s earth. One of those complications was a blood clot in my left leg that required constant medical attention for months. No one should ever think casually about a blood clot that may move to the lung, heart or brain causing severe damage or death. I survived the blood clot but never dreamed it would happen again about thirty-eight years later but it struck in early July.
On the night I was in the Tiffin Mercy Hospital I received excellent medical care plus updates on my condition. One of the nurses explained the seriousness of my condition with instructions on how to inform the nurses’ station should certain symptons developed. She informed me that my health situation would be very serious if the clots would move. I understood because I have conducted funerals for people whose blood clots moved into their lungs or heart. The fear of dying gripped me that night in the hospital. I thought a great deal about death that night. Would I die at the young age of sixty? Maybe!! Would I become disabled or partially paralyzed? Maybe!! Would I survive and regain my heath? Hopefully!! I prayed. I cried some. I thought of leaving my wife behind. I thought about our children and their families. I thought about my parents who still are living. I thought about Christ’s Church at Tiffin and other Christian friends. Thinking about dying is not a time of rejoicing. I finally relaxed enough to go to sleep when I prayed a prayer I knew I must pray, “Lord, your will be done.”
It seemed a second later when I heard my name being called. I opened one eye to see if the person calling my name was a transporting angel or a Mercy nurse. It was my nurse awaking me to take my vital signs. The night was almost gone meaning I could get up in a short period of time. I may get to go home as my doctor had suggested the night before. Death is a tough subject but we need to think about it every day not to bring ourselves to depression but to remember our hope in Christ and ultimate home in Heaven. Have a good day.
In His Service,
Terry Jones, Christ’s Church at Tiffin, Ohio