It's a painful situation either way…dying too young or living to be too old. Yet this is not meant to be a dismal article…but one of hope, understanding and encouragement.
A theme during the Romantic Era of literature and music was built around a beautiful heroine or handsome hero, dying young. The most classic literature example is
Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet”. An equally classic example in the field of music is Shubert's “The Earl King”.
What is it about audiences then and now that seem hooked on sadness? Real life isn't that way at all.
When Death Comes Too Soon
Anyone who has had a family member or friend die young knows the real pain and sorrow of this tragedy; The grief seems heavier and harder to bear than if it would have been the death of a person who had lived a full life and were well advanced in years. Somehow, the death of a child, teen, young adult seem unfair to us.
The summer following my high school graduation, I received news that a classmate had died from a heart condition. I was totally unaware this beautiful girl even had a heart condition. Perhaps it was never diagnosed; she was the picture of vitality. The news was shocking; the feeling was bleak and as cold as winter frost.
About twenty years later, my sister called to tell me one of my nephew's closest friends had been killed in a motorcycle accident. He was a young man in his early twenties, who had just been discharged from military duty and was starting to get his civilian life together.
Stunted my memory began to replay the earlier years of this young man's life. I could see his broad smile; almost hear the lilt in his voice as he dispersed with some silly joke just to make you laugh. The childhood years, and the many parties my niece and nephew shared with this boy and his two sisters seem as if these were only yesterday. I felt as if I had been hit by a hammer, my heart felt cold and shattered as if a part of me died: And it had.
Death tends to diminish each of us.
These are two examples of two wonderful people who were too young to die. There are countless numbers of children, teens, young adults who have died from everything from undiagnosed health conditions to being the victims of gang violence.
In our grief we may cry out in bitterness: “Doesn't God care?” His Word tells us that He cares - a great deal.
Psalm 116:15 (NIV) “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
Matthew 10:28-29 and 31: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul…are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father….So don't be afraid you are worth more than many sparrows.”
King Solomon reminds us death is as natural a life; in fact it is a part of life.
Ecclesiastes 7:1b-2 (NIV): “…the day of death (is) better than the day of birth…for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.”
Certainly when death comes suddenly and unexpectedly to one who is young we feel helpless. And in our helplessness our emotions turn to frustration, bitterness, and sometimes anger realizing we do not have any more control over death than we do life.
Perhaps knowing both life and death are in our Creator's hands and within His control we can accept this fact: “No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death.” Ecclesiastes 8:8 (NIV)
Just Waiting To Die
How often have I heard someone well-up in years utter these words: “I'm just waiting to die.” Quite often the person feels useless, or not as useful as they were when they were younger.
Yet as long a there is life, there is hope. Now where did I get that piece of optimism?
Ecclesiastes 9:4 “Anyone who is among the living has hope - even a live dog is better than a dead lion!”
King Solomon continues to encourage and advise with the wisdom that made him famous:
“However many years a man may live let him enjoy them all.” Ecclesiastes 11:8 NIV
I know many senior citizen wonder how they are suppose to enjoy life when they are limited or even disabled by health conditions. I also understand this situation very well, being physically limited.
