I deserve...

Those are the two most dangerous words in the English language. I hear them often. I have said them many times. What do we deserve? Punishment? Death? Suffering? When we understand how terrible our rebellion and sin is against a holy God, we must honestly say that what we deserve is not good. Life is unfair. But not in the way that we typically think. It is unfair that I am receiving good health, a sound mind (some might argue otherwise) and my needs taken care of daily.

God's goodness sends me to this question: why me? Why am I receiving all of these blessings while David Phillips, Kirby Puckett and Dana Reeves are struck down in the prime of their lives? There can only be one answer. It is to glorify Christ. Glorify Him with money, abilities, time and health. It is to show the world that something is terribly wrong here. But that there is a day coming for the people of God where all pain, suffering and death will be put into its proper perspective.


Jesus said in John 9:4, "We must do the works of Him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work." Night came early for David Phillips- a 39-old youth pastor of Christ's Chapel in Fort Worth- when his car lost control on icy roads in February of 2006.

Night came early for Kirby Puckett- a 45-year old hall of fame center fielder for the Minnesota Twins- when Kirby died of a stroke. It seems like yesterday when I was a high school kid going to watch my cousin- Eddie Hodge- play against the Baltimore Orioles. My cousin was Kirby Puckett's roommate- while they were both rookies. I have a mental picture of Puckett in his early 20s. His infectious smile and popeye forearms and now his life in this world is gone.

Night came early for Dana Reeves- the 44-year old wife of Christopher Reeves- when she died of lung cancer. Dana seemed to endure the struggles of life with such grace as she cared for her paraplegic husband. Then only months after his death, she is diagnosed with lung cancer. What can we learn from this? Is it that life is unfair and makes no sense?

For the believer in Christ, I think the lessons are clear. Our lives hang by a thread of sovereign grace. It is only by this grace that I take my next breath. If God wills for me to die as I am writing this blog, I will die. If He wills that I live another 50 years, I will live another 50 years. But my life is not my own. I am called to daily die to self and to live for Christ. I am called to seek purity of heart- Matthew 5:8. For it is only in purity of heart will I see God.

I urge each of us to make Christ the object of our faith every day. Colossians 1:27 tells us that Christ in us is our hope of glory. I pray that when we are reminded of life's brevity by the death of those we know, we don't lose the lessons. We will die. Life is short. Invest life in the eternal priorities of God. Rely on His promises. Do not allow the temporary to crowd out the eternal. One day soon everyone's perspective will change forever. I pray that many develop an eternal perspective focused on persevering faith in Christ before the night takes away all opportunities.

For His Glory,

Ashley Hodge