Mortality and Life
Open Your Bible
Psalm 103:15-16, Psalm 90:12-17, 1 Corinthians 15:26, Psalm 139:1-24, John 15:9-11, Revelation 21:4-5
BY Bailey Gillespie
There is an Irish poet named John O’Donohue who writes blessings for many types of life experiences. In his piece “A Blessing for a Friend on the Arrival of Illness,” he says, “May you find in yourself a courageous hospitality towards what is difficult, painful, and unknown. May you use this illness as a lantern to illuminate the new qualities that will emerge in you.”
My friend Greg read this aloud at a songwriting retreat this spring, and the moment I heard it, I was moved. The poet’s words were at the same time deeply comforting and deeply provoking. Although Donohue was writing specifically of illness, his words spoke to the greater reality that each of our mortal bodies is slowly dying, yet there is wisdom and beauty to be harvested on the journey. We can use our mortality as a lantern. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy showing hospitality to others far more than I enjoy showing it to myself—especially to my fragile body.
In Psalm 103:15–16, the psalmist describes how our days are like the grass and flowers of the field that vanish. There is beauty in this fragility. But our modern culture is uncomfortable with our own mortality because we’re so removed from death—animal death, human death, even the death of our dreams. The American dream tells me I can have and do whatever my heart wants, but often what my heart wants is outside my control and slips through my fingers. It is like those grasses of the field. What endures is the life to come, our eternal inheritance that is sturdy and true and real enough to last.
Though it’s easy to admire the seemingly timeless endurance of human achievements like the great cathedrals or other wonders of the world, knowing that my own skin and bones are more susceptible to death than these is something of a paradox. How strange that these artifacts would outlive the humans who built them. But this past summer, we observed how even the grandeur of Notre Dame was not enough to protect it from being partially consumed by fire. Even what appears timeless isn’t always so.
We would be without hope if it weren’t for the promised redemption of all things. Christ is making all things new. Scripture says that “Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4–5). The hope of new heavens and a new earth and new bodies doesn’t take away the sting of these current decaying ones, but it should relieve some of the despair attached to it.
May we show ourselves a courageous hospitality. May those deep, dark, dying places inside us reveal even deeper ways to enter into the love of Jesus, no matter what season we find ourselves in. Although the process is painful, it enlarges our understanding of God and what it means to be co-heirs with Christ and His coming, eternal kingdom. This is not all there is. Mourning will end in dancing, and death will end in life.
174 thoughts on "Mortality and Life"
-
Sometimes when I’m alone I have some dark thoughts. Thoughts of someone making me go back to the life that I got away from. I take a deep breath. I inhale. And I talk to God about it. I remember during those dark times thinking to myself, is this my life? Is this how it’s supposed to be? I begin to believe it. I began to believe that this was “ my thorn in my flesh”, but thankfully that was not so. God came and rescued my kids and I.
I really like Bailey’s last two sentences this morning: This is not all there is. Morning will end in dancing, and death will end in life. -
I am in the process of watching my 90 yr old Mom approach death. We know the day is close as her body fails. Her mind is still clear and we have talked about what is ahead with the Lord. It has been painful yet good. In this last year of her declining health, I have learned more about her. She has shown such grace in accepting this stage of life. At times I have struggled with the loss of how she was, yet I am seeing God do a bigger work in both of us. I am more ready to let her go, as I want her to be at peace and without pain. As hard as it has been to watch, I am grateful for all of the days and lessons the Lord has brought.
-
Praying for you Pam! My grandma, 101 yrs old, stepped into heaven last week and how beautiful it was to be able to rejoice that there was a future for her, that she was freed from her frail, sick body to an unimaginable new life in eternity!
-
-
Yesterday I was at our campus community (where we have worship and our pastor gives a message), and he talked about our passions, strengths, and God’s will for our lives is where those two intersect. It was such a God thing. And it made me think of how since the first day of this year, I’ve been thinking about God’s will for my life. My major in college, my future job, if I’ll be able to have a well-paying job. Different voices from my parents (my dad who is very money conscientious), my siblings (my sister and brother in law who hinted at looking at different schools at the very beginning of this year), and little things I’ve seen along the way. I’m a junior in college and my major is Zoo & Wildlife Biology. I love animals, but I am not that great at the science part of it, if I am truly honest. I have gotten Cs in all but one biology class so far. I want to do something with conservation, but I don’t know what that looks like. It’s hard because the academics of my major has not been a strength for me, but I still have a passion for animals and God’s creation. I don’t really know what else I would do…and it’s kind of too late to change since I’m halfway through my junior year. I’ve talked to my parents and siblings about this, but I’m kind of done talking with them about it because I already what they’ll say (the same things they’ve said before). I have a sweet friend that I talked and cried with last night about all this…and she prayed with me. It’s so hard because God basically keeps telling me to trust Him and follow where he leads, but when people keep asking you what you want to do, I need a clearer answer than that!! But, I know God is faithful. I know His promises are true. And I need to lean into that. He will work all things together for good. The things of this world will fade. They will not satisfy. And although God may have me working in some capacity, anything I do I can do to serve him and his people (and his creation). Praying that he would give me guidance, peace, and wisdom during this time. Excited for a fresh start next year. It’s a journey and I’m so thankful for all that Jesus has taught me along the way. Prayers appreciated friends, love you all.
-
Following where God leads is the perfect answer. The college years are so tough because of the pressure to “know.” I’ve done the work in my career field and lots of detours in between. Currently doing work I never imagined and loving it — following where God leads day by day. And where he leads he also provides. (And in the actual work world, some of the best folks I’ve worked with are persistent, hard working C students — no illusions that work and life should be easy)
-
You are not alone with this feeling. College was sooo stressful for me for those same reasons. Trust the Lord and pray. humans are very fallible. Trust in God, pass your classes and pray,pray,pray!!! Employers don’t care about grades. Volunteer, internships, or just plain experience in your area of interest is always a good idea. Its easier said than done especially when you’re in the thick of it, but with trust, the Lord will see you through. Trust, Prayer, and Experience. God Bless you girl.
-
I am in the same situation as you, where my grades are not what I want them to be. I feel like a total failure and sometimes anxiety comes because I feel I won’t get the job of my “dreams” but the other day I was listening to pastor Michael Todd and he explain that by God’s grace we are qualified in the area God called you to be at. We might not feel like a strong candidate for certain positions, but because we are God’s children he has given us those qualifications and it’s a matter of faith to believe we will succeed not because of our accomplishments but because of who God is and because we belong to him we qualify too.
-
I was the same way. I got a few more c’s than I would like but I knew that I took way more away from the class than what it looks like on paper. My grades did not define me nor did it define my knowledge and passion for what I was studying and that brought a lot of comfort. My parents and the rest of my family never supported my decision to attend BIOLA university nor did they support me studying ministry and probably still don’t support me in pursing ministry. But I know for a fact that that is where God is calling me and what I am passionate about. So I have to dust of the dirt from my family and move forward to where God is moving. It’s hard but it’s definitely doable as God is with you, leading you, and for you!
-
-
“This World Is Not My Home” was my best friend’s favorite song. She praised the Lord until her dying breath. She was such an example to me. When I would go to visit her she would be so interested in my struggles and pray with me. I’m so thankful she is in heaven with no more crying or pain. She’s been gone 5 1/2 year and her faith still has such an impact on my life and will continue to do so. I pray I will continue to grow in Christ as I share God’s faithfulness with others.
-
The metaphor of darkness/light in Psalm 139 is what is sticking with me this morning. I’m thanking God for the reminder that even though I feel in the “dark” when grieving or suffering, He promises to be light.
-
Hannah, I will pray for you as God brings you to mind. What a hard time. I will for joy even as you grieve. And for God’s providence in every aspect of you and your son’s lives.
-
This message reminds me of the song “This World Is Not My Home”. Just being reminded that we have a home in heaven and that all thing will be restored to order. It reminds me that my life here on earth means so much more than going through the motions of just work and church and sleep. Sometimes it can seem pretty mundane and I can forget that I have a job to do. That I have a calling here on earth. God wants us to help others love Him and show and teach them that morning routines and work schedules is not all there is to life. The pain of this world will pass away and there will be a celebration!
-
This devotion helped me to examine my attitude toward life. I realize I am so frivolous with this remarkable gift of life I have been given. My prayer is to seek God’s understanding, and to be delivered from taking advantage of the time I am given. There are times I wish the days would pass by quickly instead of appreciating them, no matter how hard they may be.
Post Comments (174)