1 Kings 12-14

Elisha, one of the greatest Old Testament prophets, died and was buried. That’s all Scripture says about it. No fanfare. No public display of mourning recorded. Just he died and was buried.

That’s actually what I’d like my own passing to be.

Sometimes people go to great lengths planning their own funeral or celebration of life. Some write their own obit. Some spell out every song, every testimony, every moment. Some make demands about what to do with their ashes. If that’s you, I hope your loved ones follow through.

Other times a person’s loved ones will plan elaborate ceremonies and wakes or proper send-offs to honor the dead. I’m not saying that’s wrong, if that’s what you need.

I tell my family that if they want to have a service, that’s fine. If they don’t, that’s fine, too. I won’t be there!

More than a funeral or a celebration of life, this is how I want my passing to go: she died, and she was buried.

After Elisha was dead and buried, an Israelite was being buried when a raiding party showed up. In a panic, his friends through the dead man’s body on Elisha’s bones – and the guy came alive!

My prayer is that after I’m gone, people I love will continue to be influenced by the life I led, the words I said, the choices I made, and the evidence of Christ in me. I pray that even after I’m gone, someone dead in their sin will find life because my life touched their’s for Jesus’ sake.

I pray that God will be glorified with every breath I take in this lifetime so that after this body dies, God will continue to be glorified through the memory of me.