Recently my oldest son (who is four-years-old) came into the room and told my wife, “I want to die so that I can see Jesus and God.” My son does not have a debilitating illness, he is not in any pain, he is perfectly healthy and (God willing) has many years to grow to be the man God would have him to be. However, in many ways his childhood innocence should be a heartfelt lesson to us all. He does not fear death, nor is he worried about what death would bring. He sees it as another adventure, an opportunity to get to see the ones he hears and studies about every day of his life.
To some, such an idea may be strange. Yet, to the Christian, such an attitude should be understood and appreciated. It is very much the attitude that the apostle Paul had when he wrote, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is needful for you. And having that confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith” (Philippians 1:23-25). Paul wanted to die so that he could be with Christ, at the same time he knew he still had work to do here before that could happen.
There is a beautiful revelation in the statement, “I want to die,” when the reasons for it center on the faith one has in God and in His Word. It does not mean we seek ways to bring it about, but instead that we do not fear what may happen in this life. Recognize as Paul did that, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). If we live for Christ every day of our lives, when the time comes that we are about to die, we will be able to utter with the same confidence as Paul, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
