doctor's life support

27th November: Ageing and Disability

None of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he mi

A rose is still a perfect rose whether it be in bud or full bloom. How beautiful is a carpet of fallen petals, while the hip, the seed of the maturing rose, is perfected to perpetuate life. All too easily we can become conformed to the world's measure of loveliness which is often superficial and transient. Our Creator and Father in Heaven does not see it in this way: ... 'you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you' (Is 46:3,4 NIV). We are designed to portray him through all the changing scenes of life and as we have lived in the Lord, we shall die in him, for there is nothing which can separate us from his care, whether in life or in death (Rom 8:38,39).

'Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?' (Jb 12:12). Yes,if lived in relation to Christ, who has been made unto us wisdom. It is only the 'high-tech', instant-satisfaction-seeking society which by-passes advice born of pertinent experience. We are gifted with an amazing assortment of abilities, many of which only blossom through disability or passing years. Often the handicapped and the elderly outshine the physically robust in many aspects of real living, but they would not do so if 'disabled' by the stumbling blocks of health and youth.

Thankfully it is the Lord and no-one else who will take us in death and who decides when. He warns us to be ready for him at any time. Old age or physical limitations are no reason to cease striving to exalt Christ whether by living or by dying. Jesus indicated to Peter that the manner of his death would glorify God, adding 'Follow me!' (Jn 21:19). we are not to fear death, but rather fear not having the life which Christ gives and which will continue after we have discarded our 'tent' (2 Pet 1:13-15).

God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in my eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be in mine end, and at my departing.

H W Davies

Further reading: Phil 1:15-26. Mt 24:36-51.

RKMS