Dear Reader,

The sirens are screaming, the lights are flashing, people are shouting and frantically trying to escape, or help someone else escape the wreckage, whether it be an automobile accident or a burning building. The victims are transported to the trauma center, family is notified, and then the moment of decision comes; “Shall we pull the plug, or not?” What does God expect of us in situations like this?

People come to points like this, and sometimes it is very hard to know what is the right thing to do. The decision breaks into two very distinct camps: one is where I am the victim; the other is where I am the one making the decision about another.

One major fact that we need to remember is that it is God who is the Issuer of Life; therefore, whatever is done is only done to continue a life that has already begun by His power, and never to start a life. With that fact reckoned with, I can then address the two camps mentioned above. Let’s talk first about what to do when I am the victim.

To a degree, each of us already is determining how we want to live. If we decide to live a healthy life, we care for our bodies by proper diet, exercise, hygiene, etc. If we violate the laws of good health, we must accept the consequences that are inherent with our choice. It would follow, then, That I have some degree of choice as to how I will live if I’m the victim of tragedy. I may choose not to live as a vegetable, or in a dysfunctional way if there is little or no medical hope of recovery, and so state my preference that I do not want any heroics. Enter into that choice the factor that I am going to die sometime, anyway. The important thing here is to let others know of my decision and desire before the occasion arises.

Now, let’s go to the other camp. I believe it is perfectly acceptable to God for us to do everything we can to support life, but to do so in the face of reality. For example, if the victim is brain dead, there’s not much sense in continuing life support. Here again, there comes the point in time where we must let nature have its way, and commit the person into the hands of a loving God who knows best. That’s the safest place to be!

Thanks for reading,
Pastor Ritchey