Day 43 - Put your house in order

Hezekiah’s Illness

In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, “Remember, LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.”

Isaiah 38: 1-5

I have drafted my funeral

Yes, I have chosen the hymns, drafted my eulogy, and written a few words for the Accredited Ministers Deceased section of our Yearbook.

Discussing death is uncomfortable, many of us shy away from the inevitable and think, ‘we will get around to it sometime.’ But we might not have that time. What happens when we visit our GP or consultant and hear them say, ‘The tests have come back, and the results are not good.’ Alternatively, it might not be about you. Perhaps, you will receive a telephone call, or a visit from a relative, or friend who has some shocking news. This can turn your life upside down, and those of your nearest and dearest.

So why was I drawn to this topic? I am due to have my annual tablets review, which is preceded by blood tests, physical tests and samples being sent to the laboratory. I thought, how would I react if the receptionist telephoned and said, ‘Hello there, you know the tests you had last week, well the Doctor wants to see you – today. Nothing to worry about, just routine.’ So, how well am I, or are we, prepared for the inevitable?

Most of us are too busy to worry about tests, or death itself, that we fail to prepare properly. I do not know your medical condition, your ailments, previous tests, or family history. But I urge you to have the tests on offer, and get that problem checked, especially where there is a family history of a certain condition. In doing so you might gain some extra years just as Hezekiah did (v4). Also, look around your home and imagine how your friends and family would start to sort all your accumulated stuff, let alone your personal and financial affairs. We cannot dispense with everything but, perhaps, we should start to put our house in order, just as Hezekiah was instructed (v1). I began by drafting my funeral.

Prayer – Heavenly Father, give us the courage to acknowledge that one day we will be called home. Help us, in preparation, to start talking to our loved ones, and to begin to put our house in order. Also, give us the courage to have a condition, or potential condition, checked and to support those who take this courageous decision. Amen

Michael Rolton