A Letter to My Physical Body

August 24, 2009 in Uncategorized with 9 Comments

I don’t have a clue where I got this, nor who the author is, but I’ve used it repeatedly over the years as a part of funeral service. I love it. Hope you will to!

You and I have been together a long time in a most intimate and valuable relationship. Now you have grown old. Your hearing and strength are failing. Your resistance to cold is diminishing. You cannot climb and run as you once did. In a word, you are running down. In a short time you will cease to breath and your heart will stop beating. When you can go no further, you will be returned to the substance of which you were made, and I shall continue on in that life where you are not needed. A Power greater than us both started us on this journey together.

Now I recognize that you are aware of the fact that your journey is nearing its end, while my journey has scarcely begun. I know this to be true, for while you are feeble, I have never been more alive. Our separation, therefore, cannot be one of sadness, but will be one of joy. You are weary and want to stop. I am longing to alight from this slowing vehicle and go on without you. Death will mean that your desire to stop is granted, and my longing is satisfied.

  • Theda Landry

    I do love it!

  • Melanie

    So far, in my journey, that couldn’t be more true. I have never been more alive than I am now. Not that I am ready to give it all up quite yet, but I do have limits now that I never had in my youth.

    I like the thought that my journey has scarcely begun. It is so comforting.

    I hope you will be around to “do” my funeral, Doug. I can’t imagine any one else sending me off. :-)

  • http://theobloggers.com/members/douglasryoung/ douglasryoung.net

    You got it Melanie!

  • Theresa

    Wow, this is great! Especially the last sentence.

  • http://www.frankbellizzi.blogspot.com Frank

    I believe that the notion of the bifurcation of body and soul, the breaking up of the physical and spiritual, is a mistake. It’s a prevalent one, to be sure. But I believe that it runs counter to both the biblical witness and what the physical sciences tell us about the inseparability of the two. I think I would like this statement a lot more if it acknowledged that what was sown in weakness will be raised in power; that the ankle bone will someday be connected to the leg bone, and so on. When we plant a seed, we’re not done with it. When we die, we’re not finished with our bodies.

    • http://theobloggers.com/members/douglasryoung/ douglasryoung.net

      Frank,

      I cannot say I disagree. I believe our physical bodies will be resurrected, reunited with spirit, and fashioned in a new form. I think I know exactly what you are saying. I have heard some question a body resurrection, but I do not. Your inclusion of 1 Corinthians 15, being sown in weakness but raised in power has to be considered.

      To me, the post reflects more upon death and the separation of body and spirit (James 2:26), than about the resurrection. Looking back and reading it after having read your comment, I see how the wrong impression could be obtained. But I agree with you and thank you immensely for reading and drawing this to my attention!

  • http://www.frankbellizzi.blogspot.com Frank

    Doug, I hear and appreciate what you’re saying. I think that what we’re talking about here is an area where Christian preachers and teachers have some work to do. My impression is that most folks who have studied and thought about this have arrived at a biblical viewpoint. However, many people who regularly attend Bible classes and worship times have a view of the future that is much more Greek than it is Jewish so to speak. Good to “talk” with you here about this. Thanks.

  • http://www.spritualsweat.blogspot.com Trent Tanaro

    Great post Bro! I do agree with the discussion between you and Frank. Very interesting topic. Have you guys read “Surprised by Hope’, by N.T. Wright. Looks like you may have. See you on Fri!!

    Trent

  • Libbiekerr

    Author, Edward Cameron