The Last Word: Lessons from the Deathbed for Living a Life of Love and Forgiveness

Can you imagine what your last words might be? In this emotionally stirring episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, Todd Rhoades, co-founder of Chemistry Staffing, explores the profound final expressions of those nearing the end of life. Inspired by a CNBC article and insights from an oncologist, Todd uncovers recurring themes in the last words of patients—expressions of love, forgiveness, and the need for reconciliation. These poignant phrases serve as a call to action, urging us to mend broken relationships and prioritize our time with loved ones. Todd shares a personal story about an unexpected apology that deeply impacted him, showing the power and importance of making amends before it's too late.

Join Todd as he delves into how these final utterances can teach us to live with intentionality and purpose. This episode provides invaluable lessons for church leaders, highlighting the critical role of love and forgiveness in our daily lives and ministries. Through heartfelt anecdotes and thoughtful reflections, Todd encourages us to reflect on our relationships and take proactive steps to heal and express our deepest emotions. Don't miss this compelling discussion that will inspire you to reach out and make things right, transforming your life and the lives of those around you.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:07

Hi there, welcome to the Healthy Church Staff Podcast. My name is Todd Rhodes, one of the co-founders over at chemistrystaffingcom, and today we're taking a slightly different approach, okay, delving into a topic that might seem a little you know, kind of morbid, but trust me, there is a powerful message here for all of us, and we're talking today about last words, those final utterances that echo in the hearts and minds of the people, of long ones who've gone to see Jesus or maybe have not gone to see Jesus. But, like I said, it's a heavy topic, a bit heavy for a podcast, but I believe there's a lesson here from what we can learn about the words that people utter, often on their deathbeds. Okay, so this is where the inspiration for this came from A recent CNBC article highlighting a fascinating insight from an oncologist who has witnessed countless patients take their final breaths and he noticed a pattern in their last words, a kind of a reoccurring theme, if you may. That kind of offers a powerful message about how we should live our lives. Are you ready for this?

Speaker 1: 1:19

Here are the four phrases according to this article, four phrases that an oncologist boy I can't say that word an oncologist said he has heard famous last words. I guess right here are the four phrases that stood out famous last words I love you, I forgive you, will you tell me that you love me? Will you tell me that you love me? And the last one would you forgive me? Okay, now, on the surface these might seem like really simple expressions of love and forgiveness, but the oncologist really believes that they reveal a deeper truth, that we often wait too long to express our feelings and to mend broken relationships and to let go of grudges. Now, I don't know about you. I think this would make a great sermon, maybe a standalone sermon.

Speaker 1: 2:14

The four phrases that people say on their deathbed I think this one would preach as church leaders. I think it's an important message that really hits home. We're called to be ambassadors of love and forgiveness and to model all these virtues in our lives and in our ministries. But a lot of times we can get caught up in the busyness of our lives and the demands of ministry and let's take this at a personal kind of gut check level we forget to prioritize those things that are most important. And how often do we let misunderstandings fester, conflicts escalate and relationships crumble just because we're too proud to say I love you or I forgive you, but imagine if we lived every day, if it were our last. Imagine if we made really a conscious effort to express love and forgiveness freely. It's those things that we regularly tell other people that they need to do to mend those broken fences, to cherish the life that god has given us with our family and our loved ones. What difference would it make in our families and in our lives and in our churches and in our world. The words we say on our deathbed often reveal our deepest regrets. So, pastor, church leader, let's not wait until it's too late. Let's choose right now to live that life of love and forgiveness, starting right now.

Speaker 1: 3:42

And I hope this article has inspired you. I know it did to me. Are there any relationships, any words that you need to say, anything that you need to make right, anyone that you need to call? They would say call your mom, but is there anybody you need to call and just tell them hey, I love you or I forgive you, or will you accept my forgiveness?

Speaker 1: 4:13

I had this happen to me a couple of years ago. Someone called me and said Todd, just out of the blue, hadn't heard from them in probably three or four years. They just called me out of the blue and said Todd, I just wanted to reach out to you. I know you're the last person in the world I'm the last person in the world you thought would reach out to you but I just wanted to call and apologize and ask for your forgiveness.

Speaker 1: 4:40

And it was a powerful moment, not only for this individual but for me, and I tell you what those kind of words make a huge difference and you know what? A couple years later, that person is no longer with us and it means the world to me, and I think it meant the world to him, that he got those words out before it was too late and I got to hear them and it was an awesome experience. So I hope this episode has inspired you to prioritize those things that truly matter. Man, let's make every word count, let's make every moment precious and let's make every relationship that we have testimonially and a testament to the love and forgiveness that defines us as followers of Christ. Thanks for listening to the Healthy Church Staff Podcast. Hope you'll join us again right here tomorrow.