I sent this to a dear friend in Christ when she said it sounded like I wanted to die . . .

“Yes – ultimately, I do in fact want to die. But I leave it in God’s hands and don’t worry about it. I see more than a few Christians who will not admit it, but are in love with the world (John 1:15-17) . . . and that is the reason for their attitude towards death. Lest you think I have a martyr complex, I remind you that I’m diligently working towards a doctorate at age 72 (who does that?) , and swimming a mile every day to keep in shape. I have told Debbie that if I collapse, I do not want CPR. I have friend who is a doctor and a very strong committed Christian. He is 62. He told me that at his last physical his doctor told him he needed pneumonia vaccine. He asked how long it was effective for and was told 6-8 years. He responded he would take it one time and never again. His attitude towards death is like mine – healthy and viewing it as release and rescue from a dying fallen, world. Lest you think I’m now some kind of ascetic Christian who doesn’t want anything to do with the world, every day I am more appreciative and thankful of the spectacular beauty of God’s creation. I find myself enjoying life and the wonders of creation more and more each day as I am renewed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. A lot of Christians claim to be ready to die, but their actions and lifestyle betray them. Those are the Christians I want to reach before they sadly end up alone in an ICU and away from loved ones who care for them . . . or who die unprepared. The last time I spoke on this subject, a woman came up to me and said her mother was terminal in the hospital and she had been thinking that she should bring her home; my talk convinced her to do so and she was so grateful. Ignatius of Antioch while being taken Rome for execution in the 2nd century, wrote the Roman church pleading with them not to do anything to stop his impending death which he viewed as a reward in Christ.
Blessings, Bob”

The world cannot understand this perspective, and I don’t expect them to. But Christians who don’t have this perspective are like someone living in a cramped, little house that is far away from loved ones, with a tiny yard of dirt on the perimeter of a foul-smelling factory spewing non-stop pollution with dangerous noise-levels, but who is reluctant to leave when a glorious mansion awaits them on a stunning mountain peak in fresh air with a gorgeous yard filled with stunning flora and a crystal-clear brook, where magnificent friendly animals roam, and with loved ones occupying adjacent land.

My friend also sent me this account of a good death . . .

“Our church’s worship leader just returned from Oregon where his whole family gathered to be present for his mother’s death. They surprised her with a “this is your life” presentation which she loved. They expected her death in days but she lasted almost two weeks, and the worship leader and his wife extended their stay. He told me his father (an artist!) put his mother’s make-up on for her and kept telling her she was beautiful. His mother said to his father, “You’ll have to look after the children by yourself now”—her mother’s heart for the 50-something-year-old kids! She slipped into the arms of Jesus early on a Sunday morning—a good death among a holy family.”

A good death indeed. She died well. Very well.