the choice between life and death....

the choice between life and death....

On Monday morning Robin Williams hung himself.  Astonishing timing.  Because the people in my community (St Joseph County, population 266,344) were mourning the loss of a hero - a local volunteer firefighter who lost his life in a massive blaze in New Carlisle (Indiana, right near here).  Never in my life have i seen such attention paid to the loss of anyone  - all local television stations preempted national television broadcasting to carry the entire thing - - - funeral, processional (more than 10 miles), burial.  I've seen that for presidents, but never even for a fallen police officer much less a "volunteer fireman" (zero disrespect intended).  Roads were blocked (i had an appointment at the wound center and had to call police dispatch for directions to the hospital that wouldn't be cut off by the processional).  This funeral was a HUGE deal.  People mourning the loss of a life, gone too soon.

And at that same time, Robin Williams had had enough and hung himself.

Was the loss of the hero greater than the loss of the actor? 
It is more sorrowful to lose your life battling a fire and burning to death vs. losing your life battling life and 'giving up'?
One was "accidental" - the burning building collapsed.  The other was a choice - self - murder - a life collapsed.
Truly i say unto you - BOTH ARE TRAGIC in the eyes of the Lord.
A loss of a life is a loss of a life
Both men were made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). 
And a battle is a battle.

No one can truly understand the depth of someone else's suffering, or the reasons that could drive a soul to such desperation.
But God.
Only God knows what is in a person's heart - the pain, the loneliness, the guilt, the agony, the pride, the desperation....there are so many things that make up ones "self" - the soul - that ONLY GOD KNOWS.  Only He knows the extent of pain which might bring a person to the point of suicide.

Many believe that "suicides" go to hell.  The bible clearly states "thou shalt not kill".  Suicide is considered self-murder.
When someone chooses death over life it is utterly tragic and such a tremendous loss.  It is selfish, it is cowardly in many aspects but does that negate the life? Especially if that life was lived in service to Jesus Himself?

In His knowing of ones heart and motives - only God can determine if this is sin.
I do know and am assured that our salvation rests securely in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
ALL who call upon the name of the Lord SHALL BE SAVED (Romans 10:13).

This wasn't a suicide, but when my dad died, he had lived his entire life as a Jew.  He didn't acknowledge Jesus Christ.  BUT he had had brain surgery and was in a coma - and i wasn't saved then - but later on the Lord showed me many things.  That when my dad was in that coma, Jesus was meeting there with Him.  That my dad DID accept Jesus BEFORE his final breath.  AND i have SEEN VISIONS of my dad alive in heaven and oftentimes Jesus is right by his side.

So. 

Who but God knows that as Robin Williams was standing on whatever, securing that noose around his neck....WHO BUT GOD KNOWS if his last words were "FATHER FORGIVE ME". 

Think on that.

In Deuteronomy 30, God expresses His own heart about living and dying:

""Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life..."

Robin Williams chose death.  Jesus wept.

That is not a condemnation. It is God expressing His own heart that those He created would choose to live the life He designed for them. When someone chooses death over life it leaves so many unanswered questions, so much heartbreak.

TO THE LIVING THE LORD WOULD SAY UNTO YOU:
"Truly i say unto you, I can change your life, your situation, your circumstances in an instant. Cry out to Me for I know your sorrows.  Cry out to Me for I know your pain.  You do not have to suffer alone, for I AM with you.  When all else seems to fail you, I WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN."

Suicide definitely has a deep and lasting impact on those left behind, whose painful scars do not easily heal.  But then the family, friends, loved ones of that fireman also have hearts that are broken.

Let us lift of both familys - let us pray for God's restoration.  May He hold them close and heal their broken hearts.
May God grant His grace to all facing trials today.
May you take hope in His promise, “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved"

CHOOSE LIFE!

God's blessings and love unto you....

His messenger
08-12-2014