Pastor's Ponderings, September 18, 2017

Let Us Live and Not Die

Chester Charles Bennington was a forty one year old American singer and songwriter who sung for various rock bands, but hung himself on July 20, 2017.  It is a true statement that money will not buy happiness when the “.HEAVY” website notes that he was worth $25 million when he died.  We have a suicide crises in our country that is confirmed by the New York Times article, April 22, 2016, headlined, “U.S. Suicide Rate Surges To A 30 Year High.”  The article went on to say that there were, “increases in every age group except older adults.”  This is agonizing for this blog’s author, but it brings to light the quote by Henry David Thoreau, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

We cannot know the depression, desperation, disappointment or despair that leads one to this final act, but the Bible says, in spite of the world’s challenges, we should trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and not rely on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5, 6).  Some may try to blame those who commit suicide, but many are simultaneously deflecting from their own suicidal ideations when times got black and there was no way out.  Thank God that Jesus gives us the way out of every trap in our lives because He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). 

While you may not know your neighbor’s sad thoughts, now is the time to let them know that God loves them, died for them, does not want them to die, but to live eternally with Him (John 3:16). He wants us to know that God wants us to live for His glory (Psalm 118:17).

This week, share a smile, give a hug, and impart an uplifting word to those around you.  It may be that God has led you to someone to help lift the depression, assuage some disappointment, or comfort some loss that can lead them to hold on until things get better.  Let us live and help someone else live to the glory of God.

Proverbs 3:5, 6
New International Version (NIV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

John 14:6
New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 3:16
New International Version (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Psalm 118:17
New International Version (NIV)

17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.