Dancing with Death -- She Said

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Psalm 23:4a

Listen to Dancing with Death


A few years back, I met a man through my job who’d beaten the odds. He’d survived a plane crash, recovered from multiple injuries, and found his golf swing. (A stunning miracle in itself.) One afternoon, a sudden storm pushed through during the final holes of his round. Lightening knocked him flat, burned his feet and arms, but he survived. Not long after that, he suffered a massive heart attack, bounced back and lived another three years before he passed away in his sleep. Three times this man danced with death and lived.

David understood how it felt to “Walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” He’d faced and killed giants, bears and lions with his bare hands. He’d fled from the king, hidden in a cave and faked insanity to save his life. No one knew the darkness of this valley better than he.

When the long shadow of death hovered over my dad he stared into that darkness with confidence.

“Dad, you understand, right?” He nodded. “It’s terminal, you know what that means, don’t you?” His body was riddled with cancer yet he struggled to comfort me. He thumbed away my tears and smiled.

“Honey, I understand. There was a time I was scared but that was before I got to know Jesus better. I thought I knew him one time but I walked away. Then one day, He spoke to my heart and said, ‘Curt, come home. I’m waiting.’ So I did. I went to Him. He didn’t want me heading down this road without him and I didn’t want to get to this spot without His presence. I’m not in the valley of death, Cin. I’m heading to the mountain top and I’m excited.” Dad understood his impending dance with death and he wasn’t afraid.

Some, like the man in my office, dodge death for a time. Some simply have their lives snuffed out while others suffer long, trying deaths. But in the end we all face our valley. When my time comes to face the long shadow I pray I’ll be as confident as my dad.

When it’s time for you to walk through the valley —to dance with death, will you be ready? When you’re with Christ there’s nothing to fear.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Marianne Jordan.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Spirit & HEART: A Devotional Journey.




Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-1-5