“One foot in the grave” is a figure of speech used since the 17th century to express that one is close to death. This week I had the rare privilege to live in the literal meaning of this statement. Some might wonder if I’ve had a hospital visit or accident, it’s actually a little more funny than that!!
I”m a pastor in a church where the parsonage is across the street from the old church property that includes a cemetery. This last winter one of our parishioners had a funeral and as I was checking in on the burial site this week, the soil seemed a bit odd. I decided to put some weight on the soil and lo and behold, it was being held up by the crust of clay that had formed on top. I sank about 18 inches before gravity stopped winning. I was relieved!! Denise and I have had some great conversations in the last 2 years, but I’m not ready for another one with her just yet!
Death/Life, Life/Death. So many scriptures that use this imagery. “Those who find their life will lose, those who lose their life will find it.” Matthew 10:39 “I die daily.” I Cor 15:31 “You were dead in your transgressions…but God made us alive.” Ephesians 2:4-6 ” I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:20
How good of a day would it be if Terry White not only had one foot in the grave but two??!! Instead of Terry White being alive with all of his insecurities, what if I was dead and replaced with Christ, who would be alive in me. I always remember the phrase, “It’s a great day to be dead.” Dead to me but Christ fully alive in me. How would my actions and more importantly my reactions be governed by the only one who knows how to do this thing of life perfectly.
When life comes my way and I’m tempted to be overwhelmed, I have to remind myself Terry: it’s a great day to be dead. Yeah I know what they did, yeah I know what they said, but Christ is alive in me and I’m doing my best to be led by Him, strengthened by His strength and filled with the response that would come from Christ and not Terry’s insecure heart. So, it’s not JUST about going out there and being dead to the world, it’s about having Christ make me alive. Just a reminder that we are called to be salt and light, but darkness hates light and infection hates salt, which increases the need to be more dead and Christ to be more alive.
John the Baptist was on the right track.. He must increase, I must decrease. So go out there and be dead and find life!! Ready, Set, Go!!
Truth, Grace, and Time 