What Was Left Out… ?

FRI., SEPT. 15, 1995, 6:36 AM
FARM, STUDY

The drama you watched last evening was certainly dramatic, but, knowing the perspective I have encouraged in you, you must consider “what was left out” both as a statement and a question. It was about euthanasia, though it was sometimes referred to as assisted suicide. And what was left out… of the quite humanistic portrayal… were the two dimensions of health that I have highlighted for you – the spiritual and the environmental. There was virtually no mention of the continuation of life after bodily death, with a possible closer walk with Me. And there was no mention that the very increase in the number of humans, because of their effects on the viability of the earth, makes human life less valuable, even less sacred.

This culture of yours is strongly humanistic, but, again this semester, your death education class claims to be almost ¾ for perspectives on death that affirm a continuation of life in the spirit. The culture is officially and legally secular, even as your money still carries the affirmation, “In God we trust”. Cancer is a part of this present earth scene. In one sense it is “retribution” for a life made “easier” by science and technology. Of course there are a few spontaneous remissions and a few positive responses to invasive treatment, but cancer remains the leading cause of death in you Americans.

In a portrayal of life such as this one I, the Triune God, am not directly mentioned, but, in absentia I am “assumed to be” in favor only of continued longer life for every human (and terribly opposed to death). I also want this life but I can’t seem to do anything to prevent this dying that I hate. I have to be in favor of every medical procedure that sustains life, however painful and full of suffering that may be. And I also must be in favor of virtually everything your culture does in manufacturing, including nuclear weapons. It is assumed that I love life, hate death, and can’t effectively counter what has been created. I want more life, but I’m ineffective in sustaining it.

In contrast to this suggestive portrayal, I tell you that My main interest is in the life of spirit. The Gospel of John that your group have been studying makes it quite clear that I, as Jesus, virtually arranged for My own death, at an early age… as a sacrifice to insure everlasting spiritual life for all of you. (This was an important symbol, even as it wasn’t truly necessary.) The only real reason to try to postpone death (for that’s all anyone can do) is in order to live life more fully, more productively (spiritually), and more for others. When one is in the last stages of cancer it’s almost impossible to meet these criteria. Hence, death is what is appropriate.

Sand is valuable if you need some and don’t have it, as in John Patrick’s present situation. But if you were in the midst of the Sahara desert, the sand all around you would not seem valuable. I see human life as becoming like the sand of the Sahara. I am allowing more of it, for My own present purposes, but I also am allowing death, a natural part of life.

Human life could not continue without the death of plants and animals. And humans cannot “stand above” this balancing. Deaths must be, in order that life may continue. When you retire it shall be like a symbolic death for you, but a chance for a good professional life for some young person who will take your place.