How To Die Well

What is it like to die? Does it hurt? Can we do it? Do we need any help? Will we be scared? Many years ago, I asked those questions before going into surgery, not knowing what the end results might be. My life continues, and I am grateful.

A fellow pastor by the name of John Bouldin had the funeral service of a 38 year old man by the name of Jim McGlaughlin who had written his own funeral service.

In it, he said if he had life to live over again, he would want

"To love the unlovely...

To touch the untouchables...

To pray for those who had persecuted him...

To do good, especially to those who had done evil against him...

To be more concerned about mercy, and have less concern about money...

To pray more and play less...

To give himself to worship rather than to worry...

To be kind to all...

To be more generous with what God had given him...

To help lift the fallen...comfort the sorrowing...

heal the broken hearted...

To see that to live on a God‑standard is more important

than to live on a gold‑standard, and to

Put first things first."

"He then said:

You say you want peace of mind? You can have the Master's peace.

You say you want joy? You can have the Master's joy!

You say you want power? You can have the Master's power.

It's an exchange‑‑your little all for His great all. Try it."

And then, in conclusion, Jim added:

I hope to clasp your hand and smile into your face,

when you too have come up higher

where one has only one true delight—

to share life with Jesus.

Do not think of your loss; think of my gain.

Do not be sad because I have died; truly, I've just begun to live.

Do not mourn because I died so young; I had five more years

than Jesus did on earth.

Do not just sit and weep for me; save your tears for those

who don't know Jesus.

Do not go into mourning for me; rise up and use your strength

and devotion so that the hearts of others may sing.

Do not think you have lost me; I have just moved a little higher

and I'll be here to smile and say "welcome" when you pass

through the curtain.

And say...be sure to come or I'll be disappointed."

Thank God for Jim. Thank God for all who can look into God's marvelous future and simply trust. That's the way I hope to die.