from life's first cry to final breath

In recent months I have been exposed to both life's first cry and the final breath.

My grandmother's final breaths took place after the removal of life support. I witnessed through a phone call, the singing of "It is Well" by other family members around her bed. I also heard the struggle as her body gasped for air, painfully unaware of the blissful home that was so imminent. A step into the land of the living.

Just this past week I was able to visit a friend in the hospital who had just given birth. I heard, as the father proudly showed off the video, the first cry of life as their son was welcomed into the world. A step into the land of the dying.

My father has often quoted to us such a paradox: At birth we enter 'the land of the dying' and with our departure, enter 'the land of the living'. As Francis Chan said in one of his books, "I'm not being morbid, just realistic." Such a realization ought to be received with the humility spoken of in Micah 6:8.

No Psalm better conveys to me the reality of what this life is, than Psalm 90.

"Lord, You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born

or You brought forth the earth and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

You turn men back to dust,

saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

For a thousand years in Your sight

are like a day that has just gone by,

or like a watch in the night.

You sweep men away in the sleep of death;

they are like the new grass of the morning-

though in the morning it springs up new,

by the evening it is dry and withered.

We are consumed by Your anger

and terrified by Your indignation.

You have set our iniquities before You,

our secret sins in the light of Your presence.

All our days pass away under Your wrath;

we finish our years with a moan.

The length of our days is seventy years-

or eighty, if we have the strength;

yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,

for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Who knows the power of Your anger?

For Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due You.

Teach us to number our days aright,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Relent, O Lord! How long will it be?

Have compassion on your servants.

Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us,

for as many years as we have seen trouble.

May Your deeds be shown to Your servants,

Your splendor to their children.

May the favor of our God rest upon us;

establish the work of our hands for us-

yes, establish the work of our hands. "

"From life's first cry, to final breath Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand. Until He returns, or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I stand." -In Christ Alone, Keith and Kristyn Getty