“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is.” – David, Psalm 39:4
I recently had an MRI screening for an apparent shoulder injury. Days before my upcoming appointment I wondered what it would be like, and honestly I was a little nervous about being stuffed into a tube! A BayCare staff member completed a pre-screening call, and one of the questions was “Are you claustrophobic?” I responded that I wasn’t, but then again I wasn’t sure because I’ve never been stuffed into a tube. I decided that I wouldn’t worry about it because surely I’d be able to stop the procedure if I started to freak out.
When I finally arrived on my screening day, after a few minutes of check-in, I was escorted into the sterile MRI room. And there it was, in front of me… the tube. The attendant explained a few things, handed me a corded device to squeeze if I panicked, and asked if there was any type of music I’d like to listen to during the screening (because the MRI machine is noisy). She then gave me a pair of headphones and it was a go. Headfirst, I was conveyed into the tube.
This is when a morbid thought entered my mind. I figured this is what it feels like to be in a coffin!
What a great opportunity it became, to reflect on my life, if only for a few minutes. Life is so fragile. Everyday we hear or read news reports of death. Death is all too often a sudden finality, happening in unexpected and horrific ways. One second is life, the next second death. One day, a person is living, walking, working, laughing, conversing. The next day, that person is lying in a coffin.
Just as the MRI mechanisms began to whir, menacing thoughts of this brief life and the sorrow of death tumbled through my mind. There in my imaginary coffin, the music in my headset began playing. This is what I heard:
“I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus
I just want to speak the name of Jesus
‘Til every dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
I speak Jesus
Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire.”
Songwriters: Abby Benton / Carlene Prince / Dustin Smith / Jesse Reeves / Kristen Dutton / Raina Patt.
I Speak Jesus lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Essential Music Publishing, Integrity Music, Music Services, Inc, Songtrust Ave
With a couple tears streaming down my cheeks, there in that imaginary coffin I spoke the name of Jesus as if seeing Him. Instantly there was peace.
I continued to reflect on my own life, the list of failures and flaws as well as countless moments and days of happiness, achievement and victory. My lowest lows and highest highs were in that moment, in the loving and gracious hands of the Giver of Life. Whenever that final day comes and my body lies beneath the ground, I will be with Jesus!
In the remaining minutes of my MRI adventure, a few more words of song in the headphones filled my heart:
“I love You, Lord
Oh, Your mercy never failed me
And all my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”
Songwriters: Jason David Ingram / Brian Johnson / Edmond Martin Cash / Benjamin David Fielding / Jenn Johnson.
Goodness of God lyrics © So Essential Tunes, Capitol Cmg Paragon, Bethel Music Publishing, Shout! Music Publishing, Shout! Music Publishing Australia
I hope you can take a few moments, when it hits you, to enjoy some quiet reflection, if not during an MRI in a coffin-like tube, perhaps at another opportune time. Take just ten minutes – the time it takes to complete an MRI screening – maybe get alone and let the words of these two songs resonate. Consider the brevity of life. Count the eternal value of each of your remaining days, as if to number them. Speak the name of Jesus into your life, into the lives of others. Consider what seeds of hope, grace and truth that you have the opportunity to sow in the lives of anyone the Spirit lays upon your heart. Leave your regrets, failures and flaws in His hands – they should never again consume the precious days ahead of you.
And sing of the goodness of God!
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
– David, Psalm 23:6
