The Value Of A Life

TUES., MAY 6, 1997, 6:10 AM
FARM, STUDY

What are the experiences you have had, recently, that relate to this theme? The Chicago Hope episode last evening, Amy’s paper, and some predictions for 1997-1998… all could contribute. Individual lives… there now are 5.8 billion of them, with some dying and more being born each day. Every day lives are saved in hospitals throughout the earth. A few die of starvation every day, quietly, while others die violently and painfully. What is the value of a life, from My perspective?

Oh, of course the other influence on this theme is this study of Ecclesiastes, your favorite Old Testament Scripture. For everything there is a season… a time to be born and a time to die. Some lives are quite short, others are average for each culture, and some are long, often too long. The profession of medicine is very “high status” in your culture, because its practice prolongs lives and helps restore functioning. Many of you expect medical interventions to always be successful… for there never to be a time for death.

Such perceptions are, of course… “vanity, vanity, and a chasing after wind”. The human body has life, and then no life. Yet true life is in the spirit, and this does not die with the body, though it may give up consciousness for a time. Spirit is the essence of any life, no matter what the culture says and no matter what the condition of the body. Spirit is of Me, and I am the Wellspring of life. So, is each life of great value? Yes. Is each life of no great importance? Yes.

The Preacher says that a man can accomplish much and be loved and respected, but eventually he dies, and what he has done may or may not “live on” and be appreciated. Your Dad’s earth life continues, but his accomplishments fade in time. The company he headed is gone, and the church that he served so well is now in another era, and only a few there remember him and what he did.

Your career will soon be over, and your influence shall wane. The memories of classes are still fresh and warm, but these, too, shall fade. Should you still be accomplishing… something… or does all of this really amount to a chasing after wind? You have perpetuated the memories of Ned and Tex, and a few of those you have influenced shall remember you, but for how long? Should you have written more, so that you would be remembered longer? Or are these Teachings and the Ruminations We create the best that you can leave as your contribution to earth life? You know My answer…

Your professional life is symbolized by much that is in your office, and decisions will have to be made about what to keep as that symbol… a time to keep and a time to cast away. You once considered that you might be invited back to teach Death Education, your favorite course. Now you realize it will go to another, who will conduct it in some different ways.

Everyone who is born eventually dies, but some die suddenly, while others take a long time to die. You could end your career suddenly, and do no more teaching, or you could continue in some limited ways. Some births are rather sudden, while others are quite slow, even painful for the “birther”. Your career is dying, but your life continues, so see this as a new life. It may contain some of that which is passing… or it may be just new and different.

What do I finally say? A life has value to the extent that spirit is the prime dimension. I want spirit to be manifested in what you do, and this makes for the growth and development of that spirit. Teaching is a wonderful way to show forth spirit and a marvelous means toward an increase in spirit. If you continue some of that, you shall benefit. If you move on to other means of growth you shall benefit.

Never fear. I shall guide you, and together We shall make the rest of this life worthwhile. And then on to…

Shalom
7:34 AM