So You Have a Pulse ... Choose Abundant Life

I am a hospice nurse. Over the past two years, I have worked with families preparing to say "Goodbye" to their loved ones. In the first year, I traveled around the county, visiting homes and getting to know the families and patients. Many patients were unable to communicate with me due to dementia or lethargy. But many of them would sit on their sofa and share a conversation. It was enlightening, educational, and enjoyable.

Beginning in January 2024, my role changed to working with families inside the hospital. Inpatient hospice is different from outpatient. It's all about acute symptom control. Many of our patients are critical and often unresponsive and more often than not, end of life.

While some families have seen it coming, and are braced for the inevitable, I can recount many who were blindsided. Questions like, "How did we get here?" "She was just out shopping this past Sunday, planning our week. How is this possible?" Families talk of how independent and full of life their loved one was up until their most recent event leading to an ER visit.

While I have always known the fragility of life, this work has amplified its truth.

Days are filled with "to-do" lists. Nights, for many, are wrought with fitful sleep and worry. I don't know about you, but Bible reading and prayer often take a back seat to all the tasks invading time. We acknowledge a need to make a call, send a note, visit, or invite someone to coffee ... or a meal. The old saying, "Tomorrow never comes," is more true than many would like to admit. Procrastination is joked about as though it's not a real problem.

In reality, procrastination is one weapon used by our enemy. In my most recent article, I mentioned Satan's use of Guerilla Warfare to render God's people ineffective in the kingdom of God.

Busyness is another weapon. On the surface, it offers the appearance of a full life. But is it?

In reading Revelation, I was stunned by one of the letters to the seven churches:

"And to the angel of the church of Sardis write: 'The words of Him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you."

This is a merciful call. One that beckons to the soul of a loved one close to the end of life.  I often see families who are not ready to let their loved ones go at the bedside, pleading. But the call to this church is a warning. It isn't time for complacency, settling into a comfortable existence, or allowing the world to lull us into a stuporous fog. 

The writer continues, "Yet, you still have a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the Book of Life. I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 3: 1-6). 

So how do we conquer?

Praise is a powerful weapon of our warfare. Remembering and reminiscing over the goodness of God helps. Families were instructed to tell their children morning, noon, and night of God's faithfulness throughout the Old Testament. When I read about how God spoke to Abraham, a childless man, about how he would be the father of many nations, and his attempts to help God get it done, I imagine a family bonfire with Isaac years later recounting the details. I can hear the laughter, feel the tears, and sense the awe stirred in a young man who is about to embark on his own life as a husband and eventual father.

We need to number our days. This does not mean that we set a count on how many days we've been on earth. Instead, we ought to consider each day as though we may be called home to heaven tonight.

• Who have we procrastinated making that call we know needs to be made?
• What is the thing we sensed God ask of us that we've hesitated to do, whether because we're unsure if it's Him or because we're nervous?
• When will we take the risk and step out of the boat, if not now?
• Are we busy accomplishing things for God but feel an emptiness when our world slows a pace?
• When was the last time we paused with a deep sigh of satisfaction, sensing God’s pleasure over us? (He’s always present, but do we think He’s scowling or grinning?)
• Why not reach out and take hold of our faith and exalt our Father right now?
• How exciting will it be to hear our Father say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You've overcome him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony.

Finally, seek rest for our soul. Jesus encourages us to come to Him with our burdens and He will give rest. Hebrews talks of finding rest in the Lord. Isaiah 26:3 says "You will keep him in perfect peace (rest) whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts You." (ESV)  

Perfect rest comes from our good Father. 

It's a blessing to share with you this week. I pray you find rest in the LORD
as you spend time with friends and family through Thanksgiving. I pray the LORD's blessing over you, may His face shine upon you this next week and throughout the weeks to come. 

Go live life, dear friend. God's waiting with open arms.