If I Should Die Before I Live

Book excerpt: A disquieting question persists: “What if I should die before I feel life is full?” It is deeply personal, hauntingly spiritual. It’s a challenge to re-visit beliefs and the dynamics of faith, love, hope. Exploration brings a fresh encounter: the human and spiritual elements of “self.” These are not contending identities; each supplies unique initiatives for life’s fullness. Both need nurturing; either can be ignored. Spiritual experience makes promise and mystery real; this enhances earthly achievements. These Meditations focus on spiritual vitality—especially for seniors. They reach beyond a biological birth-death time-frame. They touch on continuity beyond earth-time. God’s initiatives enrich the spiritual self—grace energizes faith. This generates and motivates people to offer acts of love. Love fosters grander character and perspective, wholesome relationships, healing for the heart-hungry/heart-broken. The outcome: a healthier self experiencing joy and peace—wholeness for life beyond death. Richard Smyth’s missionary service in India was designated “church development.” The Indian church prepared for autonomy, to assure continuity of American mission initiatives. “Development” involved identifying and implementing specific ministries. The challenge: match peoples’ needs with relevant opportunities. This affected worship/activity in local congregations as well as their outreach efforts. The goal: design culturally valid strategies, structures and services for the church’s mission, organization, workers. An emphasis was proper leadership and resources. He built up a multi-cultural congregation in one of New Delhi’s new suburban areas. This housed government, business and military personnel called to national offices. The congregation’s focus: build strong fellowship ties and initiate outreach services in the community. This pattern was used for nation-wide training programs by denominational and para-church groups. The last 15 years expanded the ministry to facilitate similar transitions by mission institutions in 14 Asia/Pacific nations. Richard and Sylvia Smyth retired in 1998; they reside in Asheville, North Carolina. Their family of 5 Indian children and spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren live in New Delhi, Manila, Dubai and Stockholm.