Rarely do we know what a given day will hold. And rarer still do we ever stare death in the face. Today was that day for me.
I just came from the hospital this afternoon after witnessing a person being removed from life support. This is certainly not a common occurrence for most of us, and for me, it was a first. I have been with people right before and after death, but never at that moment when someone crosses the threshold into eternity. It is a very sad and sobering experience, particularly when that person's spiritual condition is in doubt.
What is particularly unsettling about this situation is that the young man who died was only 20 years old and in the prime of life. Never did he realize that his decisions at a party last Friday night would result in his death today.
Tragedies bring us face-to-face with our mortality and the brevity of life. If stewarded properly, they provide us the opportunity to reevaluate the priority scheme in our life. Too often, however, we focus on this superficial reality of temporal living, instead of seriously considering our own spiritual circumstance and the consequences for this life and the next.
The postmodern notion that there is no Truth and that dabbling at the smorgasbord of universalistic feel-good theology is satisfactory will never suffice when watching a human being take their last breath. We tend to dismiss basic worldview beliefs as simply a theoretical exercise in mental gymnastics. But at the end of the day, all of our nuanced interpretations of various philosophical ideas won't matter. Ultimately, we must each answer the most basic question, "What do I really believe about God?" As the great preacher and writer, A.W. Tozer, reminds us, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." Belief in God is both the beginning and the essence of salvation.
When you get home, don't wait. Hug your kids. Kiss your spouse. Love your family. And embrace the moments you have together. As the Bible reminds us, life is but a fleeting shadow. And most importantly, now is the time to consider your own spiritual condition. If you crossed the threshold into eternity today, would you be ready? You can be.
(As you think of it, be praying for this family during this extremely difficult time, and for me as well. I will be doing the funeral later this week.) 
Powerful. Thanks for the reminder about the importance of keeping our priorities straight in the middle of this hectic world. How much more will I regret not spending time with the kids or going out with friends, than whether or not I kept all my 'balls perfectly juggled.' And most importantly, how much will I regret not being bold about my faith with my friends who don't know Christ, when the time comes that they face eternity.
Posted by: jean crane | March 21, 2007 at 05:01 AM
Welcome to the club. It's not a fun one. I understand.
Posted by: Andy Bullock | March 21, 2007 at 09:40 AM
Wow, this experience and the previous post go hand-in-hand. The answer to the question, "Who is paramount in my life," is critical.
Posted by: Mike Erickson | March 21, 2007 at 01:11 PM
I was in the room when Jim's Grandmother took her last breath. I was a little afraid, but it was a celebration to know that she was no longer suffering. Sad to see her go, but exciting as well. I was also in the room at Riley when little Luke Pearl, at 4 years old, was taken off of life support. The lights and the beeps went off, and the only sound in the room was the whimpering of his mother. I will never view anything in this world the way I did before that moment. I learned what really matters, and I learned that I should never ever wait. I think of him almost daily, and I can honestly say that I have a much better grasp on reality than I did before he died. I will remember every detail of that room, that moment, those people. I walked into Riley just a couple of months ago(my nephew was having a birthmark removed). I totally froze up at the doorway and I cried the whole time I was there. This is 5 years later. Absolutely life changing.
Posted by: Mandy | March 21, 2007 at 05:53 PM
Jay is my cousin, and I just wanted to say that you did a very nice job at the funeral services Saturday. It was much more personal and heartfelt than other services I have attended. It was such a hard time for all of us, and I just wanted to say thank you. He will be missed terribly =(
Posted by: Chelsea Ray | March 25, 2007 at 07:36 PM
Chelsea, It was my extreme privilege to be able to participate in Jay's funeral service. I am so glad to hear that the message was of comfort to you and your family during this very difficult time. Jay will certainly be missed, and as I mentioned yesterday, this is a wonderful opportunity for each of us to learn from his death and make our lives better for it. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: John | March 25, 2007 at 08:27 PM