A Matter of Life and Death

We all have heard the warning..."it's a matter of life and death!" Usually it is in reference to some significant occurance that we believe will bring death if we do not act upon it. It could be a life-threatening disease. It could be real or it could be a "potential" threat. We teach our children, for example, not to run out in the street. That truly could be a matter of life and death. Or we preach against risky behavior because that could be a matter of life or death.

So what does the phrase mean? In the matter of death, is it referring to our flesh which will die some day and go back to dust? And regarding the matter of life...is it speaking of our day-to-day existence with our day-to-day routines? What is the true meaning behind this warning? Does it have any importance in how we live our life? Can anything we do in life really affect our death? Afterall, we certainly know that death is something that none of us escapes. We are all treated equally when it comes to this particular aspect of life. None of us knows the day nor the hour that it will come and none of us can appoint our own time. This is truly all in God's hands.

And just what does happen when we die? Do we really know? Do we have any assurances that reach beyond our human doubt? Alot depends on what we believe in life. Personally, I cling to the promises found in Jesus. Not because I am weak or afraid, but because He IS my life. My only hope is in Him. My future is all in His hands and He saves me from death eternal. I do not believe that when all is said and done, I will go back to dust and that will be the end. If that was the case, it would raise the question; What was the point?

What about the unbeliever? The person who has no concern for end of life issues other than who they will leave their money to. The successful person who is healthy, happy, married with two kids and lives their life with wise caution-trying to stay on the straight and narrow. They are overall a "good" person. They pour everything into this life for once you're gone, you're gone. There really is no need for a "saviour". To be saved from what? Christians suffer as much as the next guy. These are the ones who probably never use the phrase in its most literal form. And should they? Should they be concerned with matters of life and death?

The only answer is yes. To put our faith and confidence in Jesus in this life, is to assure our place in death. Jesus was not JUST a nice guy who lived a long time ago to bring love and peace. He was not JUST a great prophet or a "good" person. He was and is the Son of God. He did not come here to bring happiness and an easy road in this life. His life was far from easy. He was hated by His own, betrayed by those who loved Him, beaten, spat upon and finally, hung on a cross and left to die. But his enemies didn't get it. They didn't understand the why. They didn't know WHO He was. That His death was NOT the end. He defeated death and the grave and He did it for us. He took on our sin to save US from certain death. He sacrificed His life so that our death would NOT be the worst thing to happen. Death would NOT have the final word. He gave His life so that we could have life and life everlasting.

So we are given a choice; To accept this life as it is with ultimate death OR choose Jesus and His promise of Life-now and without end. Now THAT is a matter of Life and Death to consider...

The Wild Seedling

As I look out my kitchen window, I see a tree in my neighbor's back yard that is not the prettiest. This particular tree grew from a wild seedling that had buried itself right next to the fence. You know the ones, you have to keep cutting them down or digging them up because a tree or weed is trying to grow. And you never know which one it's going to be. They drive you crazy. Well, this particular seedling was never cut down or dug up and was allowed to grow. Now I figure this happend because it was at the back of the yard, the house was up for sale and nobody payed any attention to it. By the time it was noticed, it had grown quite a bit and was probably considered too large to do anything with. Either that or no one really cared that it grew there, afterall it was in the back of the yard-hardly noticeable to the owner. So, for the past several years the tree has remained.

As far as I can tell, this tree has never been touched; never fertilized, never pruned, never given a second thought. It's limbs are growing awkwardly and the leaves are not very pretty, even in the spring. Where it sprouted, it does not provide any advantage to it's owner-no needed shade or fruit and it eventually will be destructive to the fence. If allowed to continue in it's wild nature it will be cut down or die. Now is that to say that the tree could never be beautiful? It would take a lot of care at this point because of the years of neglect, but nothing is usually impossible for a master gardener; one who is willing to take the time and give the attention required for transformation.

That tree is a perfect reminder to me of our lives without God. Without the One who plants us perfectly where needed, prunes us, waters and cares for us-we grow wildly. We try to plant ourselves where WE want to grow instead of letting Him plant us where we will grow best. Our rebellion against Him grows in all directions trying to survive. Our flesh sprouts and is awkward and ugly. We neglect our spiritual life, we don't give it a second thought. We provide no shade nor bear any fruit of benefit to anyone and eventually we are destructive to all that is around us. If allowed to continue we are cut down or we die in our sin. Is that to say that we could never be made beautiful? Nothing is impossible for the Master Gardener.

Don't let me be like that wild tree. Don't let my children be wild trees. Forgive our rebellion Lord. Plant us where we will grow best and prune us. Only You can transform us with care and love and attention. May we be willing...