Thanks again to everyone who made Fireworks such a success last weekend. What a blessing to have been able to welcome around 700 people from the community for a fantastic evening. Our prayers for weather, safety and fun were answered. Apologies to those few who missed out on a sausage!
When Voluntary Assisted Dying in NSW became legal in November 2023, I wrote a message to our congregation explaining why I believe it is not God’s will for any of us to undergo that procedure. Now, 2½ years on (for no particular reason), it seems appropriate to offer a reminder.
It is easy to understand why a person might wish to choose the time of their departure, for example, fear of physical pain, or perceived “loss of dignity”. However, we should not forget that we have a good and wise God, who understands us and can be trusted.
Life is God’s gracious gift. He freely chose to give us existence and a place in His world. We therefore do not belong to ourselves. We are more like tenants than owner-occupiers. The Bible states that only God is entitled to withdraw his gift of life (Deut. 32:39). He commands us not to kill (Gen. 9:6, Exod. 20:13). VAD is therefore in clear contravention of the law of God. (Remember, VAD means actively ending life using a lethal pill. It is not the same as withdrawing treatment to let nature take its course.)
God’s law is for our protection and our good. Upholding it benefits everyone.
I am concerned that some will come under pressure to accept VAD because they “do not want to be a burden.” Please do not ever think this way. I’m sure you would not have wanted your own parent, spouse, aunt etc., to have thought that way. It is our duty and privilege to care for those who are approaching the end of their lives.
Let us also remember that human dignity does not depend on something so fragile as our bodily and mental wellbeing. To lose control, physically or mentally, is frustrating, distressing and tragic. I freely admit that I would prefer it not happen to me. But it cannot take away the dignity of being made in God’s image. So let us decide now that we would not seek VAD, but accept God’s timing on the end of life.