by Rev Douglas Brauner

Allowing life to frame our death.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 English Standard Version

Ute Valley Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Does life frame death, or death frame life? Do we understand life because of death, or death because of life?

This dead tree frames the living trees in the background. Those living trees are understood through death. This dead tree reminds us that the green ones will one day look like it.

Do we allow the fact of our death to frame how we live? In other words, are we so afraid of death that we allow it to keep us from enjoying the life that God has given us in his Son Jesus Christ? I recently ministered to a man who was under hospice care. We talked about what dying was like. He would often ask me, “How will I know when it’s time?”.

Death was framing his life.

I’m not saying that this was wrong, or that he asked a bad question, but looking at this picture and considering his question it got me to thinking about how I live.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10 English Standard Version

Death is often the thief that robs us of life. Through Jesus we have life, abundant life, even as we face death. What will change about our perspective of death if we allow the life we have in Jesus to frame our dying? He is the resurrection and the life. Death has lost its sting in Jesus. Though dying is painful, and a reminder of the power of sin, Jesus conquered sin and with sin he destroyed death.

Instead of letting death frame your life, how about letting your life in Christ frame your death!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado