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Perceptions #200117
"The Process of Dying"
by Dr. Eddie Randolph
There is nothing like a heated debate to spark creative thinking, I always say.
In February of this year, Jim Callahan, magician and "paranormalist" (whatever that is), was taking note of the debate on whether the execution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh should be broadcast. It was then that the idea struck him-he would show a man dying, live, on the Internet.
Press releases were sent. Missing from those releases was the "who" and "how" of the actual broadcast (a good number of people were not sure of the "why," either). Some had their interest piqued. Others were incensed. So many messages were sent that the message boards had to be temporarily shut down.
On Tuesday, March 27, Callahan fulfilled his promise: He turned on the Webcam at 2:25 p.m. EST. With 20,000 people logged on and watching-the maximum number for his server-viewers discovered the image being broadcast live was Callahan himself -dying.
Well, sort of...Callahan was just sitting there. Every so often he would hold up a sign encouraging viewers to follow a link to another Internet site. He was dying. If they watched long enough (40 years?) they might see the actual moment of death.
Some thought it was a hoax and were furious. Others appreciated the irony of the situation and praised him for it. Callahan claimed it was all about playing with people's minds. His point? "People waste their lives... They sit in front of a computer 10 to 12 hours a day instead of playing with their kids. I am really big on spending time with your family."
That is a potent message. All who are in the process of living are in the process of dying. Our time this side of heaven is finite. It does matter how it is used. The late Arthur Brisbane once said, "Time is the one thing we possess. Our success depends upon the use of our time, and its by-product, the odd moment." Wasted time means lost opportunities. The Apostle Paul said it like this: "...make the most of every opportunity" (Col. 4:5, cf, Eph. 5:16)
Are you making the most of your dying process?