by Harry Osborne
As I write this article, my thoughts are focused upon the news of a death which the world scarcely noticed. When I awoke this morning, every channel was filled with the impending death by lethal injection of the Oklahoma City bomber. It seemed a waste of time to be consumed with the death of such a murderer to me. Instead, I could not help but think on our dear sister in Christ, Murray Lindsey, who was nearing the end of her walk among us. That walk was finished early this afternoon and the words of the psalmist set the two deaths in clear relief:
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Psalm 116:15).
Though no man is the final Judge, the fruits born in a life may give us either confidence in one's hope or fear of one's judgment. The ultimate end of unrepentant murderers is clear and frightful (Revelation 21:8). But praise God the death of His people may be viewed in an entirely different way! In the vision of the Apocalypse, John was told, "Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them" (Revelation 14:13). This passage shows us why the death of faithful saints is precious to the Lord -- because they have shown their allegiance to Him and He is glad to receive them home. Christians who work for the Lord in this life are known by their labors in the world to come because "their works follow with them." Indeed, their labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).
The death of Murray Lindsey was precious to God, precious for her and precious to her fellow saints as we are caused to reflect upon many wonderful memories of a dear sister we will treasure in our hearts. As many in the world focus on an ungodly life of a young man who met his end by just execution, I am thankful that my thoughts can focus on a godly woman who peacefully passed from this world after a long life which can serve as an example to those left behind. While numerous points of contrast demonstrate the more worthy life to focus upon, let us consider a few of them.
Sister Murray leaves a good example of peaceableness and love as her legacy (Matthew 5:9; James 3:17). The man executed last Monday murdered 171 people (including the three unborn children rarely mentioned by the news media). Not only was our beloved sister innocent of murder, her speech was devoid of hatred or rash anger which gives rise to violence (Matthew 5:21-22). Sister Lindsey will remain in my thoughts as a positive example of help and encouragement to all around her. She manifested the presence of love for others and the absence of hatred in every sphere of her life (1 John 3:14-18). Her life was not one of ease, but she did not allow the difficulties to breed bitterness and resentment in her soul. The ever-present smile on her face was a window into a heart of love and kindness. Murray showed to all a great example in taking food to the sick and bereaved, speaking words of encouragement and building up the saints. She was never given to tearing down through gossip or strife. The description of the worthy woman's speech well characterized that of Murray Lindsey (Proverbs 31:26).
Sister Murray leaves behind her a good name of honor which her family can treasure (Ecclesiastes 7:1). The man executed last Monday left a stain of shame for his family to overcome. There will always be sorrow and shame associated with him. There is and cannot be shame associated with the name of Murray Lindsey. Whenever I am introduced to a woman named Murray, I will smile as I remember a great lady who bequeathed to that name a grand heritage. It is safe to predict that sister Lindsey's picture will be prominently displayed by her children and grandchildren, and that stories of her goodness will be shared to another generation. The most important treasure to leave your children and grandchildren is not wealth or title, it is a good name (Prov. 22:1). In that, her family has been blessed with a great wealth.
Sister Murray leaves an example of faithfulness to her Lord (Hebrews 10:22-25). The man who was executed last Monday proudly affirmed his rebellion against the same government he had earlier vowed to defend and killed some of the people he had vowed to protect. His actions showed the very opposite of faithfulness to his charge. But Murray Lindsey was faithful to "hold fast the confession of her hope that it waver not." That faithfulness could be measured in many ways. She was a good Bible student who longed to learn more of God's word. She lived what she learned in her everyday life. She stood strong for truth and commended those who did the same. She was faithful to meet with the saints in worship to God on every occasion possible. The day before having the surgery from which she never recovered, she was together with her family in the Lord to worship the God of heaven. Sister Lindsey did not seek excuses to absent herself from worship, she sought excuses to justify her presence in worship even at times her comfort would have been better served by staying home. She was of one heart with Jacob of old who "worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff" (Hebrews 11:21). When Murray Lindsey confessed Jesus as Lord, she meant every word -- and she was faithful to her confession.
Sister Murray was content with the "meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (1 Peter 3:1-6). The man executed last Monday sought notoriety for himself and his cause of hate through his murderous act. Desire for personal glory and fame evaded him through other means, so it was pursued by violent evil. Sister Lindsey never started down that road of seeking personal fame and glory, but contented herself to be a true servant of the Lord. She did not seek to distinguish herself by extravagant dress, actions to attract mass attention or even words which lifted her to the focus of the group. This was not because she lacked the knowledge and ability deserving of attention, but because she did not seek it. In a time when many view the place of workers at home to be a dreaded drudgery, Murray saw it through different glasses. As G. K. Chesterton well said in What's Wrong with the World about that place:
When domesticity, for instance, is called drudgery, all the difficulty arises from a double meaning in the word. If drudgery only means dreadfully hard work, I admit the woman drudges in the home, as a man might drudge behind a gun at Trafalgar. But if it means that the hard work is more heavy because it is trifling, colorless and of small import to the soul, then as I say, I give it up; I do not know what the words mean. To be Queen Elizabeth within a definite area, deciding sales, labors and holidays; to be Whitely within a certain area, providing toys, boots, sheets, cakes, and books; to be Aristotle within a certain area, teaching morals, manners, theology, and hygiene; I can understand how this might exhaust the mind, but I cannot imagine how it could narrow it. How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No; a woman's function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute. I will pity Mrs. Jones for the hugeness of her task; I will never pity her for its smallness.
Murray Lindsey exhibited the value of a single life lived in quiet godliness.
Sister Murray left the life of everyone she touched the better by knowing her. The man executed last Monday caused sorrow, heartache and tears which will flow in a vain effort to fill the void left by his evil action. While she lived on this earth, Murray filled the lives of countless people with memories which will continue to buoy our spirits. Yes, we all will shed tears at the loss of our dear sister, but they are not tears caused by the fact that she left us the poorer. They are tears which declare the wish we could have kept her far longer.