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Do not go gentle into that good night ...




Dylan Thomas did not live long, according to today's expectations. He wrote a poem for his dying father that, when I read it recently, triggered a thought process. It expresses a desperation to hold on to life, but I suggest it also echoes a sentiment that should challenge us to live life well, and to the full.

 His poem, same title as above, includes the lines ...
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
So, what is the thought it triggered?

 I don't want to get to the end of my life and look back to think 'what was the point of all that?' I want to get to the end, look back, and think 'That was a bit of a roller coaster ride - but I enjoyed the gift of life as fully as I could!'

 The challenge is that I have the capacity to make sure that I can say the latter by the degree to which I align my decisions and activities to the priorities that are important to me ... choosing these over the social norms or others agendas. As a Christian it also means gladly embracing the will of God for my life - The Bible tells me He loves me, He has purposes which I can join Him in and He delights to share these with me and He enables me to live life to the full.

I also believe we will each have to give an account for our lives. Did we believe in Jesus? Did we respond to His offer of hope, grace and love? In addition, for those who did, what did we do with the time, talents and resources we were given to serve His purposes? I don't approach this with fear, rather I see it as a re-running of all that has happened over my life except this time I will see it through with God sat beside me giving me His perspective, and my more fully seeing His presence at work in and through my life. I'm quite looking forward to it!!

 I know that generally people in the U.K. dont like thinking about death other than trying to avoid it ... hence the poem. However, there is another way to live to ensure that when it happens, as we all know it will, we can embrace it with confidence and join with others to celebrate a life well lived!!

 I hope that's not too depressing a thought for you?!

 Press on!
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