A Life Worth Living
Randall Caselman
2/25/98
A Life Worth Living
She had just returned from dialysis; exhausted and confused. Her body had been drained of what little strength she may have had. Her speech was weak. I could barely understand her incoherent rambling. I picked her up and laid her on the bed. She whispered,
Randall, I want to go home, I want to die, if I knew how I would take my life.
That broke my heart. We have been friends for twelve years. She was once a strong and determined lady who had a zest for living. She loved life and shared it with many. She has given a fortune to the orphans and educated dozens of disadvantaged children. Now she wants to die? We talked and prayed together for over and hour. We expressed our love for one another. As I walked from the nursing home, I cried. This was the second time in three days that I had been told by a friend that they wanted to die.
Now, understand me, I don't believe desiring death is a sin, just sad. Some Bible greats longed for the same release.
Job asked the question,
why does daylight come to those who search for death more than for hidden treasure, those who would rejoice in the grave?
Moses in numbers chapter eleven begs God,
put me to death now, this burden is too great.
The prophet Elijah become so discouraged that he said,
I have had enough, Lord take my life.
Paul lets us see his hearts desire when he wrote,
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.
Even though not a sin, death is contrary to why Jesus came.
I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly... That you might have life at it best.
As I drove out of the parking lot, I found myself thinking, what is the answer, what makes life worth living?
A life worth living is a life with a forgiven past.
Guilt! What a burden, but God has provided a way to deal with our guilt through the blood of His Son.
Peter told those responsible for killing Jesus,
Repent and be baptized and you will receive the forgiveness of your sins.
Paul had a hideous past persecuting Christians, yet Annias told him,
Arise, be baptized and wash away your sins.
The Hebrews writer speaks of being
cleansed from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
John contends that we are
continually cleansed by the blood of Jesus as we walk in the light.
Paul says,
there is now...no condemnation to those who are in Christ.
Praise His Name!
When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. Indeed! If you don't know the good life of forgiveness, come to Jesus for this peace that surpasses all understanding. Know the joy of absolute, total forgiveness.
A life worth living has a meaningful present.
He (Jesus) died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again. Jesus' life had worth because He lived and died in service to others, I came to serve, not to be served. A life in Christ not only is a new beginning. It has a new purpose. We are not saved to serve ourselves, but saved to serve Him by serving others.
As often as you do it to the least of these you did it to me.
We are raised to live a new life as instruments of righteousness and living sacrifices.
We have been purified as a people eager to do good works.
Be rich in good deeds, be generous and willing to share, for in this way you will lay up treasure in Heaven.
Religion that God accepts is to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Karl Menninger was once asked,
If you knew you were terminally ill, what would you do? His reply was
I would find someone that needed help and I would serve them. It's true, we can make our life worth living by dedicating ourselves to serving others.
A life worth living is a life with a fearless future.
A life without Jesus has a hopeless end, life with Jesus is an endless hope.
Perhaps David expressed it best.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
Paul concluded that he had
fought the good fight, finished the course, kept the faith. Now there is in store... A crown, not only for me, but also for all those who have longed for His appearing.
Jesus promised,
In my Fathers house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you... I will come again to receive you... So that where I am there you may be also.
Let me ask you, is there someone in your future that makes life worth living?
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future.
Life is worth the living just because He lives.
Pray that God will continue to bless us with the good life. Pray for His richest blessings on those who have lost the desire to go on living.
RANDALL CASELMAN
