Regarding Best Way to Die
My dear friend Jon died three days ago while we were riding a gravel bicycle race in the Arizona desert. The paramedics who helicoptered in to save him couldn’t. Every indication was his heart stopped before face planting into the bush that became his resting place. No pulse. No pain. No suffering.
Also, no regrets it may be said. What better way to pass than instantly while doing what you love in fellowship with friends surrounded by the glory of nature’s beauty? I’m hearing echoes of observers proclaiming Jon inspires them with the best way to live until the moment of death. And die of course we must.
Truth be told there is an even better way to die. A way to die that amplifies the gift of being alive. Can you imagine such a thing? Let’s explore the possibility right here, right now.
How about dying to self - while still alive? Dying to self is a real and powerful notion that leads to richer living. Dying to self involves transcending your understandable but selfish needs. Removing yourself from the center of importance. Moving past the need to be accepted, esteemed by others, heard, and understood. Past the need to be right or respected. The list of selfish needs is long and particular to each of us. What are your selfish needs?
What if we died to self in a way these desires fell away? Allowing us to experience a more profoundly joyous existence outside our own gravity. An existence more attuned to how we can be a blessing to others. Wouldn’t living with this type of grace make the world a better place – all while returning us a dividend more valuable than meeting our own insatiable petty needs?
The notion of dying to self is simpler to understand than it may sound at first. Give the idea a chance to sink in. As you do, be realistic. Our humanity places dying completely to self out of reach. Fret not about perfection. Simply move in the direction of dying to self. Towards your highest and best self. The opportunity for practice is endless. We are mosquitoes in a nudist colony of opportunity to transcend our own selfish desires. All the brokenness around us is opportunity to allow a spirit of love, forgiveness, and grace to flow through us for the benefit of others. We just need to stay out of the way.
The ideas above do not require a religious grounding to be powerfully positive in your life. If not ready for faith references, you can stop reading here with plenty to ponder. I’m grateful and honored you read this far.
The teachings of Jesus, as expressed repeatedly in the New Testament, center squarely on the notion of dying to self.
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew 18:25
The overarching instruction is to humbly surrender our own desires to live according to God’s will. This is a transformative process shifting focus from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. Moving in this direction leads to new life in spiritual growth, relationship with God, and eternal life through acceptance of his grace.
Ponder the promise of dying to self as the threshold to better earthly life - and everlasting life with your creator.
