Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Dying upward

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Psalm 102:19-21
Let this be written for the next generation, for a people not yet born, that they may praise the Lord: "The Lord looked down from the holy heights, viewed the earth from heaven, to Attend to the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die."

In Genesis it is written, "Therefore, the Lord God banished Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden and placed a flaming sword to protect the tree of life."

In The Fountain, a 2006 film, medical researcher Tommy Creo tries to save his wife from a brain tumor. He grows desperate. "Death is a disease, like any other. And there's a cure. A cure - and I will find it." He thinks he has it in sap from an ancient tree, which reverses tumor growth in a chimp.

Does he?

His wife Izzy relaxes into the jaws of her illness. She wants Tommy to stop and be with her, help her finish the last chapter of her book. Walk with her in the first snow. "Every shadow no matter how deep is threatened by morning light."

Who says fighting off death is the best response?

The director of the film tries this on: "If Adam and Eve had drank from the Tree of Life, what would have separated them from their maker? So what makes us human is actually death. It's what makes us special."

In the shadow, no doubt we groan. Every generation wants to live forever. It's only physical weakness and pain that force surrender. But what God promises me is that after that one agonizing moment of Giving Up, of dying upward, He will Attend.

I want to be sure he has an invitation to this particular graduation. Come, Holy Spirit.

This earth, living and breathing, is where I get to know You, Father. Thank you thank you thank you. You show me how to live, and one big piece of that teaching is how to die. Maybe the most important piece of all, Lord. I came into the world struggling and screaming; if that's not how you want me to go out, then show me how.

Devotions Archive

Dying upward

Tuesday, April 12, 2011