A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. Ecclesiastes 7:1 (ESV)
Births are universally celebrated, but we find it vastly more difficult to celebrate a death. Could this be because we fail to see things correctly? Solomon also said, “It is better to finish something than to start it.” (Eccl. 7:8 ETRV) Plenty of people start the Christian life with a bang, but soon fall off the rails. I have witnessed this many times in my fifty-one years of following Christ. Jesus even said this would happen in his parable of the sower. (Luke 8:5-15)
Finishing well is a mark of a faithful person, a sign of God’s keeping grace, and a reason to celebrate.
My father, Pete Beck, Jr., finished his race well, remaining active in ministry until the very end. He remained faithful to the Lord, his wife, his family, and the church, all by the grace of God. He had a love affair with God’s Word all his years as a disciple, especially toward the end when he knew he would soon see his Lord face to face.
Soldiers who have served in combat say that one cannot know how he or she will do under the strain of the real thing until thrust into it. That is when we find out what we are made of. Some fold while others rise to the occasion. Likewise one must go through what life throws at us in order to know how God’s grace will enable us to handle it. Someone once said that worry is imagining the future without God. That is a terrible waste of the imagination. God always makes the difference. With him as our ever present Keeper, we can survive and even thrive through anything.
I have always been something of a late bloomer. Since my parents have been blessed with such long lives, I am also late to the experience of losing one of them, something many others had to endure much earlier in their lives. As a result, I did not know what it was like to lose someone so close, even though I have watched many others go through it, including my lovely wife. In my case, I can say that so far I have not experienced what I might call deep grief. That may come, but, for now, I feel moments of wistful sadness when I think he is no longer with us. And of course if feel deeply for my mother. She and my father had a true love affair for 71 years. But once we got through that traumatic day of watching him breathe his last, I have not been under any sort of heaviness.
Call me crazy if you like, but I feel a sense of joy. Dad is with Jesus now. He did not have to suffer for any extended amount of time. He did not go through a period of debilitation. He remained active until the end. He did not become a “burden” on my Mom. He died with grace and peace. He finished well and crossed over into eternity. He made it!
Paul wrote:
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NLT)
When Paul’s demise was fast approaching, he met with some disciples who were already mourning his soon expected departure. Paul mildly rebuked them, saying he was more than ready to give up this life as an act of allegiance to his Lord. (Acts 21:13) In another passage, he remarked that he would rather die and be with Jesus than continue living; but he knew his time had not yet come, and it was more profitable for God’s kingdom for him to remain and serve others. (Philippians 1:21-26)
God gave my father many more years than he ever expected, but eventually his time to depart from this earth arrived. It was finally more profitable for the kingdom of God for him to begin to enjoy face time with his Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Lord. That time is coming for all of us.
Even though death itself is not pretty, God carefully watches over us as we go through it. For us and those we love, it is a time of leaving what is familiar and beloved. For God it is a “precious” thing, the long awaited moment of our experiencing more fully the joys and realities of God and eternity.
Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones. Psalm 116:15 (NASB)
Jesus could not wait to return to his Father. (John 14:28) He told his disciples that they should be glad for him, but they, like us, saw things from their own perspective rather than God’s. We feel loss and sorrow, but God also wants us to see his side of things.
For God and us who believe, death is a homecoming, a commencement, and a triumph because of what it opens up to us.
Jesus said that his followers would actually never die.
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” John 11:25-26 (NLT)
We should fill in our own names in place of “Martha” in the last verse. Do we really believe?
The body expires, but our spirits seamlessly transition into God’s manifest presence. Can you imagine the unimpeded joy my father felt as his last breath was exhaled and his strong heart finally stopped beating? Joy inexpressible and full of glory!
Yes, I feel our family’s loss and will greatly miss our Dad, but I cannot mourn for him at this time or maybe ever. He is finally home! One day I expect him to be part of the throng who welcomes me.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV) 
