Suicide?

sui·cide :  the act or an instance of  intentionally taking one's own life; to put (oneself) to death; self-destructive

The holidays have ended.  It is a well known fact this time of year has the highest suicide rate of any other time.  I've been pondering in my heart what exactly qualifies as suicide.  Obviously, eating a gun or intentionally taking an overdose of medication or the common illegal drugs often used in this morbid method qualify.  But, ponder this...

What about smoking?  The warning labels on the pack tell us the dangerous risks and side effects are lethal.  If we are aware, and we are, would that be considered intentional and self-destructive behavior--a form of suicide?  What about the practice of over indulgence of food or alcohol?  These debilitating types of self-annihilation are known medically as morbid obesity and alcoholism.  Yes, they will kill you. Yes, you are making the decision to over eat or to drink above the legal limits which are set not only for your health, but also for the lives you may endanger should you decide to get behind the wheel.  Abusing sleeping pills or other prescription medications also fall into this category.

We fool ourselves into believing suicide is only the decision to instantaneously end life.  If we know to eat what's good for us, but choose to gorge ourselves on foods that raise our blood sugar or our cholesterol to dangerous, fatal levels, don't you think that slow death still is deliberate, whether we are at the moment consciously choosing to shorten our days or not?

On the flip side, not eating the appropriate amount of food is just as deadly.  Also, not taking the prescribed medications for our heart or blood pressure would be just as foolish.  Sure, I believe God can heal us of these things, but we are told in Proverbs 18:9, "he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide."  Ignored, untreated chemical imbalances and psychological disorders would surely be equally classified with all of these ruinous behaviors.

With the coming year, let's make the decision to be more deliberate about life.  There is so much to live for.  As Christians, we have a purpose; we have a job to do.  This morning during our worship service, my mind was bombarded with thoughts of standing before my Creator and having to explain why I could not fulfill my mission here on earth.  We all will have to give an account one day for how we spent our time here.  So, I prayed, "God, I do not want to stand before You and try to explain why I couldn't do what You created me to do.  I do not want to give account for the souls lost because I didn't spend each day walking out your plan.  I have gone to bed so many nights thinking--Well, another day has gone by and I wasted it on worrying about tomorrow without even accomplishing what I should have done today.  Help me not to squander even one minute of another day.  Help me to rest when I need to rest, to work when I need to work, to be sensitive to the needs of those around me, of those who may cross my path.  You make my agenda.  You order my steps for it is You, Father, Who makes my path straight."


Now I issue a challenge to you.  Stop for a moment and consider what you might say standing before the King of Kings.  What could possibly justify a shortened life?  Self-gratification?  Because Lord, I just wanted to be happy...I just needed to relax...I, I, I....Me, Me, Me?  Imagine still, standing before Jesus, Who so freely gave His life so you and I could be free.  Remember Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Floating through life, lukewarm and selfish is indicative of an ungrateful, spoiled brat.  There couldn't be one person on the face of this earth who would dare look at the Father and utter one word as to who or what could have possibly been more important than to live for the One Who gave His Son so that we could have life everlasting.  I do not want to die before accomplishing His perfect plan for my life.  I want to hear those precious words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Ephesians 5:15-17, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."