The last words of Jane Goodall
Hope, Responsibility, and Spiritual Connection
Ingrid and I watched a truly remarkable documentary on Netflix last night. It focused on the famous primatologist and recently deceased activist, Jane Goodall. Just a few weeks before her passing, she gave a profound, in-depth interview. The documentary therefore bears the telling title: Famous Last Words.
I found it a deeply inspiring conversation. You see a woman of great age looking back, sharing what she learned and experienced throughout her long life immersed in nature.
A calling from an early age
Even in her early youth, Jane felt a distinct calling on her life. She was raised in a Christian family, though the documentary did not explicitly dwell on Christian values. Rather, it spoke of a deep spirituality that she developed in the forests of Gombe, Tanzania. She describes that feeling as being very close to a great spiritual power; she viewed the forest as a kind of cathedral. These are impressive experiences one can have in such magnificent, unspoiled nature. They lead to the realisation that there is a Creator, and that we have a responsibility towards that Creator—whom we are privileged to know as God, the Father of the Lord Jesus.
Although her story contained no purely Buddhist elements, certain characteristics that are also important in that philosophy did emerge: compassion for nature and for fellow human beings, and the recognition of our interconnectedness as vital values.
Words that matter
This woman, on the threshold of her life, spoke about matters that were supremely important to her. What people wish to leave behind as their final legacy is often the most essential part of themselves. Recently, we’ve seen more examples of globally renowned individuals sharing their deepest convictions and the source of their hope on their deathbeds.
And indeed, that hope was also a crucial subject for Jane. It forms the core of her message, for she rightly observes: “We are living in very dark times.” Due to the large-scale damage to nature and the disappearance of life forms, she looks bleakly upon a development for which we all share responsibility. She argues that without hope, people will descend into apathy, into despair, and thus essentially lose the meaning of their existence.
Every person has a task
That is why she is convinced that it is vital for all of us to play our part in this life. We must be conscious of our responsibility, but also of our calling. Every one of us has a task—not just for ourselves, our family, and our loved ones, but also towards the nature surrounding us. The creation, which we received as a gift from God, must be passed on to our children and grandchildren. Jane’s question, therefore, is: how do we leave this behind? Will it still be a habitable world, or will everything be scorched and life vanished? Unfortunately, even the most beautiful life forms are currently under threat.
The next great adventure
Jane also spoke about her own death, which she viewed as her life’s ‘next great adventure.’ Through all her experiences in nature—and perhaps also her perspective on the animal world and her spiritual awareness—she was certain that life does not cease with this earthly reality, but that there is also an eternity. Hence, at the age of ninety, she saw this next great adventure lying ahead in the future. Watching the documentary, she says: “Then I will already be in that place.” She is very clear about this. She speaks about God, though not explicitly about Jesus, but she is very clearly aware of a life after this life.
A passionate plea for hope
But for those of us still living—that is, you and me—she has one particularly important message: “I make a plea of hope.” Let us hold onto that hope, especially in our individual lives. Perhaps you are in a difficult or unfavourable situation. But even then, I say: “Hold onto hope and know that after this day comes a new day, and after this week comes a new week.” There is hope, even if you are seriously ill, if you have family difficulties, or if you are struggling with personal issues that you just cannot seem to overcome.
Our personal calling
She also indicates that we must be aware of our unique, personal calling. We are not here without reason. We have a reason to live because we were made by the Creator. As the Bible says in the Psalms: we were woven as small children in the womb. Because of this, we have received a calling from God. It is essential to discover that calling for our personal lives. Firstly, to live close to the Lord and know ourselves to be dependent on Him, but also a broader calling in light of our social responsibility.
Have I extracted from my life that which God placed within it? Have I used the talents entrusted to me? That is why it is so important that we are conscious of our commission. Not frantically or hurriedly, but realising that there is a task to which we may commit ourselves, and which we may know to be given by God. Let us not waste our time on all sorts of trivial matters, but keep the true value and meaning of life in sight.
Let the light shine
Jane calls upon us not to succumb to apathy and let the darkness of this world overwhelm us, but to let the light of God shine within ourselves. That is the interpretation I personally give to it, and what determines the value of this interview for me, because so many aspects come to the fore that the Gospel also offers us.
Naturally, at an advanced age—as she was at ninety—you become aware that life is finite. Indeed, two or three weeks after this interview, she passed away, even while still actively involved and working on a series of lessons for CEOs and other business leaders.
What comes after this life?
She asked herself: what happens after this life? That is a question we must all continually ask ourselves. Are we aware that earthly life—our daily routine, the errands, the work, football practice with the children—will one day end? That a moment will come when we realise that life is finite, and we ask ourselves: what is the meaning of my life? But also: what is my significance in eternity?
As Jane herself says: alongside this earthly existence, after death, there is life, because consciousness survives. Consciousness continues. And I believe this too. Every person is unique, has value for God, and will also have a responsibility towards the Lord.
Your life matters
Therefore: your life matters. Regardless of whether you have already found the reason for your existence or are still searching for it. God has called you to take your place in this life as well. And in addition, to be aware that there is an afterlife—a great spiritual reality that we cannot yet see.
Jane also says: when I tell this story, I will no longer be here. The documentary was broadcast after her death; she is now in that reality, as she calls it herself. And that moment will come for us too. That does not negate the importance of our responsibility now. That we now do in this life what God has called us to do. Let us also be mindful of that life after this life. She said in her final words that she could not share secrets about the afterlife. But she simultaneously emphasised that your life on this earth can make a difference in the kind of life you will find after your death.
And that is true. Let us make the choice today to spend eternity with the Lord. That is the appeal of the Gospel: that we turn our hearts towards Him, ask Him to lead our lives, so that we may also be connected with Him in eternity.
The last words of Jane Goodall
From where I am now, I look back on my life. I look back at the world I have left behind. What message do I want to pass on? I want to be certain that all of you understand that every single one of you has a role to play. Maybe you are not aware of it, maybe you haven’t found it yet, but your life is important, and you are here for a reason. I hope that reason will become clear as you go through life.
I want you to know that, whether you find that role you are supposed to play or not, your life absolutely matters. Every day you live, you make a difference in the world, and you get to choose what difference you make. I want you to understand that we are part of the natural world, and even now, with the planet shrouded in darkness, there is still hope. Do not lose hope. If you lose hope, you become apathetic and you will do nothing.
And if you want to preserve what is still beautiful in this world, if you want to save the planet for future generations—your grandchildren and their grandchildren—then think about the actions you take every day. Because, multiplied by a million, or a billion times, even small actions will bring about great changes. I… I simply hope that you understand that this life on Planet Earth is not the end. I believe, and now I know, that there is life after death, that consciousness survives.
I cannot tell you any secrets from where I am now that are not mine to share. I cannot tell you what you will find when you leave Planet Earth, but I want you to know that your life here on Earth will make a difference in the kind of life you will find after your death. Above all, I want you to realise that as long as we are on Planet Earth, we are part of Mother Nature. We depend on Mother Nature for clean air, for water, for food, for clothing, for everything.
And as we destroy one ecosystem after another, worsen climate change, and diminish biodiversity, we must do everything in our power to make the world a better place for the children who are alive now and for those who will follow. You have the power to make a difference. Don’t give up. There is a future for you. Do your best while you are still on this beautiful Planet Earth, which I admire from the place where I am now.
God bless all of you.
@ Wim van Putten