Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday July 7, 2009

This response to yesterday's letter on self inflicted death is right on target, so I am sharing it with you in toto. Janice and Don Christy worked as Chapel Volunteers at the Federal Penitentiary here in Terre Haute for over 30 years. They are real Jewels:

Thanks, Larry. People who have never struggled with serious, long-term depression have no idea what a deep pit it is to climb out of, even with God stretching forth His huge, loving hands into that dark place. It is much easier for others to judge than to help or to push down rather than to lift up or to be that God with skin on who whispers sweet words of encouragement and confidence into the darkness so we know we aren't alone. Few people have the compassion or the resolve to walk into such a place to help lead us out, or perhaps to drag us out. Those who have never lived there don't realize how comfortable it can become. One can easily make a home of it, for hiding places can provide a sense of protection and security—a cruelly deceptive security, to be sure, but one that feels real, nonetheless. Our weak smiles and responses of "I'm fine, thanks" work well in that place of hiding. But we must remember that lying is an abomination to God, for it closes and locks so many doors that only Truth can open.

I've taught for a very long time (and sometimes have to work desperately hard to believe the truth of it myself) that suicide is thought by those who choose it to release one from the suffocating grip of life into a place of escape that we too often perceive to be death. Actually, the reverse is true. What we must recognize is that it is death that has taken us captive, spirit, soul and body. Escape is to be found only in the fullness of that abundant Life that God has promised to us here and now. That is the heart's true home. We must run there—or even crawl there, if necessary—with whatever strength we can muster. It isn't a home free of pain and struggle. We would quickly shrivel up into nothingness if that were so. But it is a place of delight and forward momentum, a place where love and compassion embrace us at every turn, showering light upon every step we take.

I would never wish serious depression on anyone, but sometimes I wish those who so quickly rush to judgment could see into that dark, empty place momentarily. How differently they might think about things of which they know nothing at all.

With much affection and gratitude,

Janis Christy

This saint tells it like it is. It is not given in any way to criticize the events of last week or year, but to hopefully save the life of some tormented person, Christian or otherwise today.

When Elijah prayed for the Lord to take his life, the angel of the Lord ministered to him with a touch and angel food, stating "Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee." 1Kings 19:7

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2009 Use with credit.

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