A Living Will - Martin Wiles

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27 KJV

Conversations in a physician’s waiting room can be interesting and run the gamut.

As my wife and I sat in the waiting room, waiting for her to be called back for her colonoscopy, we listened to the various conversations. One between an older man, his son, and the receptionist. The receptionist called the man’s son to the window to answer some questions his father had omitted when filling out his paperwork.

“Does he have a living will?” she asked.

“Do you have a living will?” the son asked his father.

“Yes, I want to live,” the man responded.

The receptionist and son concluded he didn’t have a living will—and didn’t even know what one was. His anxiety about the procedure was evident, and, as my wife later learned, the doctors didn’t do everything they had intended because of it.

The writer of Hebrews makes a pointed reminder to his readers: everyone is going to die and judgment will follow. Sobering thoughts. Not ones I enjoy thinking about, but ones I must entertain.

A living will is important if I don’t want to be kept alive by artificial means—sometimes leaving one on life support and in a vegetative state. From my family’s experience with my father, we discovered a living will isn’t enough. A DNR (do not resuscitate) order is also necessary since doctors can override a living will.

Having a normal will is also essential if I don’t want the state to take my possessions or distribute them in a way I wouldn’t approve of. Having a simple will drawn up is inexpensive and can even be done through online legal services.

More important is the preparation I make for my eternity—not for the comfort of those I leave behind. I will not live forever, and I cannot know the date of my death. But I can know whether or not I’m prepared. 

Trusting Christ as my Savior and living in obedience to His commands are the only ways to prepare. Doing so re-establishes the relationship sin broke and fits me for heaven. Like the man in the physician’s office, I want to live—but I also know I’m going to die.

Take care of those you’ll leave behind, but make sure you’re prepared for what’s ahead.

Prayer: Father, thank You for preparing an eternal existence for us. Prepare us so we’ll be ready to enjoy Your presence for all of eternity. 

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