A Time to Live
This is Dave Burnett. I want to welcome you to today’s God’s Family Plan Podcast. The title of today’s podcast is “A Time to Live!”
Some of our podcast followers may have noticed that we have not posted a new episode in several months. In this episode, I would like to provide an explanation as I share a message of encouragement and hope.
For me, 2024 was a year of serious medical challenges.
• In February, I experienced a grand mall seizure. From this, I was referred to a Neurologist. In establishing this relationship, I discovered that she was a Christian, the daughter of a Pastor. As a part of her examination, she decided to listen to my heart and the carotid artery. She became concerned about what she was hearing and referred me to a Cardiologist.
• The Cardiologist sent me for an Echocardiogram. As a result, it was discovered that I had what would be classified as a moderate heart murmur. He did not take any action at that time, but wanted to look at it again in six months.
• In October, I was admitted to the hospital, barely able to move my legs and feet. I had to use a walker to get into the car for the ride to the hospital. While in the hospital I developed a fever of 105 degrees. Staff packed me in ice to reduce my temperature. Following a spinal tap, I was diagnosed with mononucleosis. After multiple bags of three different antibiotics and four days in the hospital, I was released and referred to physical therapy.
• During my six-month cardiology follow up in November, it was discovered that the murmur that had been moderate had become severe. If left untreated, this condition gave me a 50% chance of a fatal cardiac event within the next two years. I was referred me to a team of Cardiac Surgeons.
• The surgeons recommended a procedure known as a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement. Prior to this procedure, I was required to have an Angiogram. During the angiogram on December 23rd, arterial blockage was discovered and two stents were put in place.
• On January 30, 2025, the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Procedure was completed. I was released from the hospital the next day to continue the recovery process.
• After a post-surgery follow-up exam, I began a program of thirty-six sessions of monitored Cardiac Rehabilitation.
My Neurologist told me that I have had a lot of grace. Some of her patients have not survived what I have been through. I am aware that it is God’s Amazing Grace that has, is and will continue to be life and breath to me throughout the entire healing process.
I am thankful for the progress and healing that I am experiencing. I am thankful for how God has used many people as instruments of His healing grace! He has used medical professionals as well as those who have prayed in faith for my healing. But, I am especially thankful for the love, prayers and faith of my wife Kathie. She has battled with me, and she has battled for me, even when I was unconscious and unable to fight for life myself. I am indeed a blessed man who has experienced and who continues to experience “a lot of grace.”
However, at this point I want to shift our focus to an issue and question that has repeatedly surfaced during the past year. At every new patient intake and every hospitalization, staff have raised the issue of a Living Will or DNR (a Do Not Resuscitate order).
An example of this would be the introductory phone call I recently received from the Cardiac Rehab Center. During this call I was asked point blank, “What do you want us to do if your heart stops?”
My response is, “I WANT TO LIVE!”
Proverbs 18:14 in the Passion Translation tells us,
[14] The will to live sustains you when you’re sick, but depression crushes courage and leaves you unable to cope.
https://bible.com/bible/1849/pro.18.14.TPT
Some of us may be having a hard time coping with the situation and circumstances of our life. From my experience, I have found that in the Church there are many who are depressed for a variety of reasons, including health issues. But, depression, whatever the cause, can crush the will to live.
But, depressed, crushed and unable to cope is not the way God wants us to live.
Jeremiah 29:11 in the Amplified Classic Edition says,
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
https://bible.com/bible/8/jer.29.11.AMPC
Jesus tells us in John 10:10, “…I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” Jesus is talking about those who follow Him.
https://bible.com/bible/8/jhn.10.10.AMPC
Romans 8:11 in the Passion Translation says,
Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, he will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you!
https://bible.com/bible/1849/rom.8.11.TPT
Deuteronomy 30:19 says,
I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live
https://bible.com/bible/8/deu.30.19.AMPC
Father God’s plan for you and me is LIFE! He plainly tells us to choose life. The reason Jesus left Heaven and came to earth was to give us life. Holy Spirit in us breathes the breath of life into us.
But, the life that God has given me is not just about me. The life He has given you is not just about you. Our will to live is not just about adding more time to our stay on earth.
The Psalmist says,
Psalm 118:17 AMPC
I shall not die but live, and shall declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.
https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.118.17.AMPC
In our choice to live, we choose to honor the name of the Lord and continue to testify of His greatness, goodness and grace.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 1:4 TPT,
He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us.
https://bible.com/bible/1849/2co.1.4.TPT
In our choice to live, we allow Holy Spirit to minister life to others. The deposit of comfort that He has placed in us is intended to be shared with others who need comfort.
In 1 Corinthians 6:20, the Apostle Paul tells us that “we are not our own.” In Chapter 7, verse 23, He tells us that “we are bought with a price.”
Deuteronomy 14:2 tells us that as His covenant children, we have become God’s treasured possession.
So, if a medical professional…or anyone else for that matter… ever asks you the question,
“If your heart stops, what do you want us to do?,” what will your answer be? Do you choose life?
My prayer and hope in sharing with you today is to encourage you to answer this question very simply…
I WANT TO LIVE!
Thank you for listening to today’s podcast.
