Tragic in every way

Brittany Maynard was 29, beautiful, full of adventure. Doctors had diagnosed her with an advanced, deadly form of brain cancer in January.  Brittany decided weeks ago, as she saw the symptoms of her cancer becoming more severe, to move to Oregon where doctors can legally prescribe pills that will bring about death. She told the world her plan, traveled widely, and with the cooperation of her family, ended her life on Saturday.

Opinions about Brittany’s choice range from angry condemnation to admiration.  I understand why she decided to end her life; the fear of the pain, of being dependent, as she became increasingly ill. But, I also believe that her decision was not the right one. My life - all life - belongs to God, the Creator.  Why does He allow such pain?  I do not know!  I do know that the depths of His grace and mercy are often found in the darkest of nights.  I also believe that Brittany’s choice ultimately devalues all life.  Her decision reinforces a lie that the only life worth living is one that is without suffering, that is whole, that is beautiful.

Joni Eareckson Tada, a woman who has lived with pain for her entire adult life, who has experienced life as a quadriplegic, wrote the following. Her words are thoughtful and carry the added weight of coming from a woman who knows suffering personally.

“Romans 14:7 says, “For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.” Brittany’s well-publicized decision is already influencing untold numbers of despairing people that physician-assisted suicide could be the answer to their problems. This is no way to strengthen care and nurturing in society; rather, such a decision further unravels the cords of compassion that have characterized our nation for so many decades. A right to privacy is radicalized by physician-assisted suicide - it does not strengthen the common good, but only alienates, separates and dismantles us as a people who truly care for one another.

If I could spend a few moments with Brittany before she swallows that prescription she has already filled, I would tell her how I have felt the love of Jesus strengthen and comfort me through my own cancer, chronic pain and quadriplegia. . . . She may think her choice is a highly personal and private one, but it is not. Already, her decision has reignited hotly contested debates as to whether physician-assisted suicide should be expanded beyond the five states where it is legal. Proponents of Brittany’s decision are already using her story as a bully pulpit to advance their so-called death-with-dignity agendas. . . .

There are good laws throughout the U.S. that help people die with dignity - laws that provide advanced pain management therapies for people dealing with intractable pain. People have the legal right to refuse treatment if they don’t want it. Legalizing physician-assisted suicide in more states may send a bad signal to families who have little access to health care dollars: Would we be saying to low-income families, “We won’t provide health care for your critical condition, but we can make it easier for you to commit suicide”?

Assisted suicide poses a real danger to people with disabilities. Who is to say when multiple sclerosis or ALS is classified as “terminal”? People who receive a diagnosis of a chronic, disabling condition often experience suicidal feelings, but later adapt very well. Working through that initial period of despondency takes a lot longer than the “waiting periods” of existing physician-assisted suicide laws.

Only Jesus was able to transform the landscape of life-after-death by conquering the grave and opening the path to eternal life. .... Life is the most irreplaceable and fundamental condition of the human experience, and I implore Brittany and others considering her example to take a long, hard look at the consequences of a decision that is so fatal, and worst of all, so final.”

Christian, let’s be loving advocates for life. Let’s remind those who are in despair that they are loved, by us and by the Lord.  Weep with them. Share their despair, but point beyond the valley of the shadow of death to the bright hope of Heaven that is offered to all, freely through Christ Jesus.  Let’s guard our hearts and minds from the lie so prevalent in our culture. We do not own ourselves. We belong to God and, through good times and bad, we trust ourselves to His care.

Here’s the Word - "You say, “I am allowed to do anything”-but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) ... (our bodies were) made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead." (1 Corinthians 6:12-14, NLT)
"Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-29, NLT)

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