Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Death Forms Creation

Last week Rob and I watched the movie, The Fountain. It was intriguing to see someone's take on life, eternal progression, etc. The line that caught me was "Death forms creation." I'm not sure why- but it struck me. I haven't stopped thinking about it.

At first the thought is somewhat depressing. Then you realize it is totally true. Look at the circle of life. An animal dies, decays and brings nutrients to the earth. Those nutrients in turn nourish new growth in plants. That is one physical way in which life is formed. Then there is a spiritual death. Each of us has gone or is going through it. Look at Adam. He had to "die" to come to earth and live in the Garden of Eden. Then again he went through a spiritual death by partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Thus being banished from the Garden, and creating a new life in "the World." Even Christ exemplified this idea- by the Crucifixion to the Resurrection.

There is a popular saying that is expressed when someone dies- "with death comes new life." Each time my sister or I would get pregnant we would fear that someone we loved would die. Thankfully that never came to fruition. What I witnessed happened in reverse order. Last July I lost my grandmother. In December I discovered that I was pregnant. This baby is a complete miracle to me (for the fact of no medical intervention). I see her as being a complete gift from God (as are my other 2 girls!). In so many ways I think of her as also being a gift from my grandmother. With death, my grandmother, came new life, my baby Ella. Once again- death forms creation.

Another example I have witnessed first hand is a spiritual death forming new life. My dear husband lost his faith and testimony. He hit rock bottom in the sense that he was no longer able to know if God even existed. Thankfully due to events in our lives the past few months- he's been able to recognize that there is a God. My dear husband is forming/creating a new spiritual life... somedays I love to hear and see what that creation beholds. Other days I struggle to see any form in his creation.

Life has many obstacles and challenges within it. Death is probably the hardest to deal with. I think the reason I loved this one line from the movie so much, is that it offers hope. We always think of death as being final, this allows death to be a mere stepping stone in the circle of life.