The Valley of Death Meaning in the Valley

The Valley of Death

Meaning in the Valley

For most that are terminal, the most pressing question

Isn’t when they’ll die or how painful death will be

Rather, it’s what makes life meaningful

They are in search of a meaning that cannot be destroyed by death

The end of Jesus’ life was full of pain and confinement

It was also full of meaning

And Jesus said

“Follow me”

If you or someone you know is terminally ill

Your life still has meaning

Don’t give up on making a difference

“If you are going to be alive, than live” WMS

Meaning in the Valley

The psychiatrist William Breitbart lives at the edge of life and death. As chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, Breitbart specializes in end-of-life care for terminally ill cancer patients. For many of his patients, the most pressing question isn’t when they’ll die or how painful death will be. Rather, it’s what makes life meaningful. They are in search of a meaning that cannot be destroyed by death.

Is there one?

Breitbart has spent the better part of his career trying to answer that question. His ground-breaking research shows that while the specter of death often leads people to conclude that their lives are meaningless, it can also be a catalyst for them to work out, as they never have before, the meaning of their lives.

When people believe their lives are meaningful, according to psychologists, it’s because three 

conditions have been satisfied:

They feel their existence is valued by others;

they are driven by a sense of purpose, or important life goals;

and they understand their lives as coherent and integrated.

Psychologists and philosophers say that the path to meaning lies in connecting and contributing to something that is bigger than the self, like family, country, or God.

Sandy and I helped my brother care

for His terminally ill wife, Judy.

Judy found herself in bed 24 hours a day

and only awake for 4 to 7 hours

where she could talk or watch TV.

She had one question, a question I had heard many

times from those in the Valley of Death…

Why am I here?

When we are young and healthy this

question will surface from the back of

our minds from time to time.

But the activities of life keep us moving

from days to weeks and weeks to

months and even months to years.

Jesus told people to take up

their cross daily and follow Him.

Jesus says it is good to have

a daily reminder of death.

Changing our focus from self-centeredness

to something bigger, something beyond us.

Something that will last long after our death.

It is important we see ourselves as living

a life that is building treasures in heaven.

That the meaning of life now,

has meaning for eternity.

It is also important that we see our lives making

a difference here on earth long after we are gone.

Jesus gives us the answer to living

a meaningful life whether it is in

our youth or on our death bed.

Jesus says…

 “Follow Me”

Jesus took up His cross…

 He died as He lived.

The foundation of all Jesus did was Love.

Even in the end He said…

 “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”.

What did Jesus do on His death bed?

He forgave others.

He gave hope to a dying thief.

He told His brothers to care for their mother.

He upheld truth when Pilate who ask what is truth.

He used what strength He had to finish carrying the cross.

 He controlled His frustration with the accusers.

He said…

 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me;

yet not my will, but yours be done." 

_{Luke 22:42}

If you are on your death bed look around you…

Who is sitting with you?

Who is caring for you? 

Love them.

 Use the strength you have to follow Jesus.

Jesus’ life had meaning up to the His last breath.

Our cross may be confined to a bed,

 you may be weak with only a

little time in a day you are alert.

In those final days and hours

your life is speaking volumes.

Just do what you think Jesus would do.  

Reference

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/03/power-of-meaning/518196/

Scripture Reading

Luke 9:23-27 NIV

23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."