9.28.2009

Humbled.


Today's Photo: "Stretched"

Life and death and everything in between. Today held in its palm moments of life and moments of death, moments of laughter and moments of weeping. Profound highs and gut-wrenching lows. In the midst of it all, I felt more at peace today with my answer-less-ness.

Death is so confusing, isn't it? In all honesty, life is quite confusing, too.

Today I felt God molding a new concept into my soul: death is holy.

Since we all will eventually die, I'm thinking God really wants us to be able to talk about death and process it in ways that help and heal.

I looked up the definition of holy a bit ago; there are many. Here are the definitions that most apply:
1. Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.
2. Regarded with or worthy of worship or veneration; revered
3. Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence

So, God, is death really holy? Yes, I think according to these definitions, death is holy. And so is life. And although I have no idea what to do with these new realizations about life and death, I know God is planting a seed that will change my way of processing death and speaking about it with others. Maybe I should have had all this "death" stuff figured out before seminary graduation, but I have a feeling it's going to be a lifelong journey, and I'm pretty sure nobody ever gets to have it totally "figured out." But, as they say, "Life is journey and not a destination." So, we journey on together, one courageous step at a time.

Thanks for journeying with me, friends.
Your presence - across the miles and through screens and keyboards - is such a gift.
Thank you.

4 comments:

  1. Hi, Emily! I was drawn to your blog again by your facebook posting. Sounds like your first days and weeks up there are challenging and rewarding and maybe a little lonely. I pray that you will find colleagues and friends up there who will support you.

    In response to this particular blog entry, don't give up on Paul's understanding of death as enemy (e.g. 1 Cor. 15:26). It's not the only way to look at death, and it conflicts with cultural approaches (mostly denial) and scientific approaches - which I take seriously (death as necessary for life - older generations making way for new - and the process of evolution). But death as enemy is theologically fruitful, I think. And then there's Jesus, counseling us to love our enemies! Not sure what to do with that in this connection!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Re: Life is a journey, not a destination.

    In high school, my freshman history teacher told us, "It's the process, not the product." Not the most encouraging words to hear before receiving the grade for your first test, but words that have stayed with me all the same. Thanks, Mr. Kajfez, and thanks Em!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi, Emily! I was drawn to your blog again by your facebook posting. Sounds like your first days and weeks up there are challenging and rewarding and maybe a little lonely. I pray that you will find colleagues and friends up there who will support you.

    In response to this particular blog entry, don't give up on Paul's understanding of death as enemy (e.g. 1 Cor. 15:26). It's not the only way to look at death, and it conflicts with cultural approaches (mostly denial) and scientific approaches - which I take seriously (death as necessary for life - older generations making way for new - and the process of evolution). But death as enemy is theologically fruitful, I think. And then there's Jesus, counseling us to love our enemies! Not sure what to do with that in this connection!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Re: Life is a journey, not a destination.

    In high school, my freshman history teacher told us, "It's the process, not the product." Not the most encouraging words to hear before receiving the grade for your first test, but words that have stayed with me all the same. Thanks, Mr. Kajfez, and thanks Em!

    ReplyDelete