PrintMonitoring My Mortality (2)
For the first 58 years of my life I enjoyed near perfect health. Ever since I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in November, 2000, and suffered a heart attack back in June 2004, my sense of my own mortality has been elevated and sensitized above what the average person probably feels.
While that sensitivity has not had a crippling effect on my performance, it has made my perspective on life more realistic than I suspect is the case with those who have never had a close encounter with death. I think this perspective has helped me to face my current health scenario with a measure of peace that might not otherwise be the case.
It's interesting to face a situation that confronts all those convictions that I have passionately believed and taught for 40 years as a Pastor. That's not a bad thing. In fact, I think it is a very desirable confrontation. It certainly puts the issue of integrity in the spotlight!
Over the years I have walked with others who have faced the prospect of physical death as they have been confronted with diagnoses that proved to be terminal. In some cases I have subsequently conducted their funerals. On those occasions I have spoken of the assurances we have as Christians.
But how real is all this when I myself am faced with the same prospect?
Do these convictions and the Christian hope belong only in my head like some kind of theological formula OR have they found their way into my heart?
