Lub Dub, Lub Dub, Inhale, Exhale, Lub Dub, Lub Dub, Inhale, Exhale. Life consist s of these two cadent rhythms. There is something peaceful about listening to the regular beating of a heart or feeling a chest simply rise and fall. There is something comforting about these declarations; because these quiet declarations reassure the querying mind that life continues in that moment. For one more glorious moment fear is at bay and one is assured that life exists. Yes for that instant the minds of the vigilant wife and the increasingly attentive nurse are relieved of their anxiety.
Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale; faster and faster; inhale, exhale, inhale exhale. Fear pours out of his eyes as he grips the bed trying to catch his ever fleeting breath. His whole body heaves as it strains to obtain the life giving oxygen provided with each gasping breath. Beep, beep, beep goes the oxygen monitor screaming for the nurse to take action. In her head the nurse squaks back, “I hear you, what do you think I am doing?” She fearfully yet dutifully glances at the number. Her stomach drops and heart starts pounding out of her chest. For a moment all she can hear is her heart and the incessant beeping. Adreniline has now sufficiently made it through her entire body and it is fight or flight….FIGHT.
So the battle ensues. The nurse fights. The doctor fights. The patient fights. The respiratory therapist fights. Other nurses fight. The once peaceful room is now flooded with people, equipment and loud verbal communication yet there is very little chaos for they know what to do. They fight as team of individuals each carrying out their own specific duty to insure that this man’s life continues in the next moment. They fight for his life in this world. For a half an hour the battle continues to rage although to no avail.
Although their fight was a valiant and worthy one, they are but mere humans beings of flesh and bone; it is not in their power to give or sustain life. How can one piece of grass sustain another? This team, although capable professionals, were not allowed to win this noble fight, the fight for this man’s life. The power which they did possess was given them by their Creator. THE all powerful God is the one who sustain our lives; not nurses, doctors or medicine. He graciously allows every human being their next breath for it is His kind will to do so. God has numbered our days down to our last heart beat. When God withdraws His hand the two peaceful cadent rhythms of life cease to sing; the chest no longer rises and falls and the lub dub of the heart is no longer audible. When God withdraws His hand our spirit leaves our body and flees into eternity. The day we are born we are destined for eternity. Our very life and breath is given us not to be squandered selfishly but to be used up for the glory of the Creator and Sustainer of life.
