Brittany Maynard was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. She was 29.
Following her diagnosis and a surgery that removed less than half of her
rapidly growing tumor, Brittany made a decision that would catapult her to the
forefront of the death with dignity debate. She chose to move from her home state of
California to Oregon where physician-assisted death for terminally ill patients
is legal. At the time, it was against
the law in California. She chose Nov. 1,
2014, as her final day. While everyone
has their own opinion her Brittany’s choice her mother described her daughter’s
decision; “When you’re talking about a
terminally ill patient, you have to realize that each death takes its own
journey. Brittany was having some very difficult symptoms. She woke up and
said, ‘Let’s go for a walk. It was just
a beautiful day and I couldn’t help myself. I asked, ‘Are you sure today is the day?’ A mom always has to do that. And she said,
‘Yeah, Mom, today is the day.” Brittany returned home to her bedroom, where
she was joined by family in what she described as the “circle of love.” She took
her medicine and her last breath.
Most do not wake choosing today as their last day of life on
this earth but all can choose how to live today. God gives us the remarkable choice to decide how
we will live each day. We may not get to
pick the circumstances that surround us but we can determine how we respond and
react to everything that comes our way. Scripture
gives us bountiful guidance on how to make the most of each day. Three short verses in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 has a mouthful to
say on the subject; Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for
this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Each day we should make a deliberate decision to rejoice, pray
and continually give thanks no matter what the day brings. This is not only God’s will but it is the
best formula for overcoming and turning things around. Notice the verse did not say to give thanks
‘for’ all things but give thanks ‘in’ all things. The difference is significant. We life in a sin-scarred world where evil
exists, bad things happen to good people and one cannot possibly be thankful
‘for’ all things. However, when we place
our faith in Christ we can truly find a reason to be thankful ‘in’ all
situations. No matter how bad it gets
the worst thing that happens to believers in Christ is that they die and spend
eternity in Heaven. No matter how things
seem out of control, unreasonable or unfair in this life, and they often are,
this world and life is not the ultimate reality. Sin, injustice, violence, sickness and even
death do not get the last word. Jesus
does. So in all things, when one’s trust
and faith is in Jesus, there is reason to rejoice, pray and be thankful.
Therefore, I believe the more important issue is not how and
when we die but how we live. One of my
favorite movies & books is ‘Lonesome Dove’.
For those unfamiliar it is the story of two Texas Rangers; Captain
Augustus "Gus" McCrae and Captain Woodrow F. Call. Captain Call is the ‘no frills’ hard working
driven boss while Gus loves to talk about philosophy with a good humored
approach to making the most of every opportunity to enjoy life. In one of many memorable scenes they are discussing
a lady friend of past days. Call focuses
on hear death in the discussion. Gus becomes
frustrated with Call’s perspective and says: “Woodrow, you just don't ever get
the point – 'It's not dyin' I'm talkin' about, it's livin'!” Death comes to all whether we choose
the day and way our life ends or let it come whatever way it happens. The point I’m also trying to make is not about
dyin’, it’s about livin’! So
choosing our last day, dying with dignity, may not be as important for most as choosing
today to live with dignity. One does
that by making a deliberate decision to live each day and each moment of that
day as a time of total love.
Matthew 22:36-40 teaches us that all of our understanding of
God’s direction for our lives can be summed up in what is called the greatest
commandment. Someone asked Jesus, “Teacher,
what is the most important commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered: Love the
Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most
important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one.
And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” All the Law of Moses and
the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.
We do not know that we will have tomorrow. All we have is today; actually this moment of
this day is all we really have. I don’t know
if I will live to see sunset today much less sunrise tomorrow. However, If we make every effort, each moment
of each day, to live a life which shows complete, total and passionate love for
God and all that is God then today can be our best day whether it is our last
day or not. And if we make every effort,
each moment of each day, to live a life which shows complete, total and
passionate love to everyone we encounter during the day then today can be our
best day whether it is our last day or not.
So whether we will see the sunrise tomorrow or not, let today be the
day!
