The death of someone who demonstrated faith and love in his or her life, especially if they finished well, is a reason to celebrate. Births and marriages are times of celebration, because the mark a new beginning that is full of hope. Wise Solomon wrote that the day of death is better than the day of birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1) because it is better to finish something than to start it. (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

Plenty of people start the Christian life with a flourish, but eventually their zeal wanes. The Bible calls this losing our first love for the Lord, which is a serious matter in the Lord’s eyes. (Revelation 2:4)Some even shipwreck their faith journey. (1 Timothy 1:19) I have witnessed this many times in my years of following Christ. Jesus warned that this would happen in his parable of the sower. (Luke 8:5-15)

Finishing well is a mark of a faithful God’s ability to preserve us to the end. It is a reason to celebrate.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NASB95)

He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:8–9 (NLT)

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (NASB95)

My father, Pete Beck, Jr., finished his race well, actively serving the Lord he loved and holding to the word of his grace until the very last breath.  He remained faithful to the Lord, his wife of 71 years, 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, which grew even stronger 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 battle until thrust into it. That is when we find out what we are made of. Some fold under the pressure, 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 a future without God. That is a terrible waste of the imagination. God’s presence is always enough.

With the Lord as our ever-present Keeper, we can survive and even thrive through anything this life throws at us.

Call me crazy or unfeeling, if you like, but I felt a sense of joy at Dad’s passing. He is with Jesus now. He did not have to suffer for any extended period of time. He did not go through a time 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 was willing 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. In God’s eyes, it was finally more profitable for the kingdom of God for him to depart this earth and 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 or desirable, God carefully watches over us as we go through it.

Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones. Psalm 116:15 (NASB) 

For us and those we love, it is a sorrowful time of leaving what is familiar and beloved. For God it is a “precious” thing, a long awaited moment of our experiencing more fully the joys and realities of God and eternity.

Jesus longed 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 the promise of the resurrection.

“O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55–57 (NASB95)

Jesus said that his followers actually never would 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. 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)