In Life and In Death

 Photography by A. Monaco

In the last two days, I received news first that my friend, Martha, is dying of lymphoma and then news that my friend Melinda’s son, Michael, is fully recovered of his lymphoma.  The pains of death surround one family; the joys of life suffuse the other.

Both however testify of God’s goodness, mercy, power, and love.  Michael’s mom acknowledges that it is an awesome God who has healed her son, who has eradicated every cancer cell that was in his body.  Martha’s husband tells of a loving God who is sustaining them, of the sense of safety in the arms of Jesus Christ who is bearing them up as Martha's body slowly shuts down. 

Two outcomes to a dreadful disease.  Yet both give thanks to the God they have each come to love and trust in their life journey.  Why?  Because in life and in death, for every Christian, we are the Lord’s.  “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.  For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living”  (Romans 14:8-9).

Let us now ponder together the beautiful psalm that Martha and her husband are meditating on this day:

I love the LORD, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

The pains of death surrounded me,
And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
I found trouble and sorrow.
Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!”

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Yes, our God is merciful.
The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.

Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
 

Psalm 116:1-7

In life and in death, can you and I say,  "We are the Lord's"  and “We love the LORD”?