Working with older people I’ve noticed a troubling phenomenon. When people get close to death, instead of owning their end, they can project that end on the world or society in general.
PICTURE: NASA/Unsplash
It’s not the end of their life, it’s the end of all life. It’s understandable. The end of the world is easier to face than the end of my world. If the world goes on, I’m forgotten, irrelevant; if all life ends with me, I was significant.
Of course, this is not healthy. It makes older people cantankerous, open to conspiracy theories and end-time prophecies.
It can help family to know what is going on. To avoid arguments about these things – and to let their loved ones know they are loved, treasured and won’t be forgotten. That the God of eternity values all His children.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.
