Author, pastor, and university president emeritus Dr. Rubel Shelly, PhD has been a much-respected leader in the Restoration Movement’s churches of Christ (non-instrumental) branch for decades. I recently had the privilege to read and endorse Rubel’s new book addressing the Biblical response to gender dysphoria, called “Male and Female God Created Them.” It is a comprehensive and scholarly defense of the Biblical position of marriage and family. It is full of grace and truth – the kind of balanced treatment we have come to expect from Rubel Shelly. It is expected to be released from College Press in the coming weeks.
I met Rubel nearly 30 years ago when we both taught in a Master’s program at Kentucky Christian University. A few years later, I had the privilege of visiting with him in his home near Detroit, Michigan, where Rubel served as President of Rochester University. On that visit, Rubel’s wife, Myra, graciously hosted our small group of Christian leaders for dinner. She was a beautiful lady, both inside and out, and Rubel and Myra’s love for each other was evident to all. I teased Rubel that he must be cleverly persuasive to have convinced Myra to marry and remain with him for so many years. He chuckled and agreed.
Sadly, Rubel notified me this past week that Myra’s health was failing.
“A personal note, if I may, Bob. My wife is under hospice care with just a short time to live. Aggressive cancer that she has fought for three years has invaded her brain and lungs. She told her oncologist she was ’tired’ and wanted no more treatment. She teases me: ‘Now don’t you be mad at me if I get to see Jesus before you do!’
November would have been 60 years married to this Godly lady. Her request to family and friends: ‘Don’t pray for a miracle of healing but for a dignified exit.’ If you can think to include that in your prayers over the next few days, I would appreciate it. The hospice nurse thinks we are down to a limited number of days.
In the old movies, it was a great moment when a girl let a boy walk her home. And I’m walking my girlfriend home!”
What a moving, Godly way to approach the final days of life. No bitterness, no straining for last-minute heroic measures to prolong life. Just a calm acceptance of the reality of death and a genuine confidence in the hope of heaven by Myra:
“Don’t pray for a miracle of healing but for a dignified exit.”
And Rubel’s perspective stirs the heart:
“I’m walking my girlfriend home.”
The rest of us could learn from Rubel and Myra’s inspirational example. When we sense our final days approaching, let us also give a resounding testimony of our faith in the promise of Jesus, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die…” (John 11:25). Let us proclaim with the Apostle Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Let us demonstrate in dying what we have proclaimed in living – we are almost home!
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
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