This is a sequel to my "Death" post.
Today's Sunday service's sermon talked about the topic related to death, I would say its pretty heavy stuff and ironically today is the first day of the new year-1/1/2012. What a start to a new year! ;) Many would think that talking about death is inappropriate during festive season. For Chinese, as you know that we are deliberately avoiding anything to do with the figure "4", as in mandarin, the word pronounced the same as "death", so its a BIG NO NO talking about death during Chinese new year, it's considered inauspicious.
However, it has almost become a strange norm that the first few days of every new year, I will receive some kind of message which is related to "death". During end of 2007, it was the first time I realized that my life is not of mine. Of course I know that no one can live forever, however sometimes we live under the delusion that we are bigger than the life itself.
Anyway, back to the story. A youtube video was shared during the sermon. It was about this 18 year old boy named Ben Breedlove. On 18th of December, Ben posted a video on youtube about his 3 times close encounters with death. In his word, he "cheated" death. He had a genetic condition called hypertrophic cardiomyoparthy, which is basically the thicken of the heart muscle wall which can lead to heart attacks. On 25th of December the Christmas day, his heart stopped.
Before he died, he left his story behind and described his personal encounters with the edge in two youtube videos. Quoted from ABC news:
"The world has come to know our Ben," it said. "He was a genius at using the Internet to reach and influence his peers. Through his brilliance with manoeuvring the capabilities of YouTube, Ben has left a message for his generation. In the weeks prior to his death, he had faced some scary situations with his health, but had been given an amazing gift that he was determined to share; first with us, his family, and then, not surprisingly (and generously) with his YouTube audience.
....His message is profound, relating his experiences or visions that made him aware of something amazing beyond this world. This is a message that some will find comfort in and others will simply not accept. It is the tangible, material world versus the unknown."
Now, if you still havent heard or watch the video, do check it out, and decide for yourself whether would you agree with the quoted comment.
As i've been repeatedly saying, death is inevitable. But still, I dont think anyone can stand in front of death and said that they are not afraid to die. For some reason, Ben make it sounds as if its ok to die. I think the point is if you have done enough in your life and when you look into the mirror on that day and felt exactly how Ben felt:
".... I couldn't stop smiling. I then looked at myself in the mirror, I was proud of MYSELF, of my entire life, everything I have done. It was THE BEST feeling."then I guess death is ok.
However imagine, if your life has been nothing but lost opportunities, such as the other day when you saw someone is in need but you didnt lend your helping hand; or you know you should have reachout to more people but you didnt; or you have this special gift of knowing how to play music or sing beautifully, but you never really use it beyond your own personal enjoyment etc. I guess when the day came and you look into the mirror, there will be nothing but "how i wish..." list of regret and gnashing of teeth as what bible described.
I read another commentary about Ben Breedlove, whereby the writer ends the whole story with the question "does it verify God?"
Well, that's a question we should really ponder about, aren't we?
Happy new year folks.
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