Vapor

For what is your life? For it is a vapor, which appears for a little time, and then disappears.
(James 4:14)

Three men die in a car and go to heaven for an orientation. They are all asked, “When you are in your casket and friends and family are mourning over you, what would you like to hear them say about you?” The first guy says, “I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor of my time, and a great family man.” The second guy says, “I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher which made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow.” The last guy replies, “I would like to hear them say, ‘LOOK, HE’S MOVING!!!!!’”

Well, we know that’s not going to happen. And we further know that life is eternal. We’ll be moving. It’s just that no one down on earth will be able to see us. Have you given any thought to your funeral? Or do you think this is completely morbid and just plain odd? Your funeral is the ceremonial culmination of your earthly life. It’s also your last chance, if you planned things right, to communicate with the ones you left behind.

I’ve been thinking about funerals the past few years – the older I get the more I attend, of course, and I’m 37 now – and last night I met a woman who is terminally ill. I don’t yet know if she is saved. If you’ve ever been to the funeral of an unsaved person vs. the funeral of a saved person, you will never forget the difference. More often than not, the funeral of an unsaved person is very impersonal, especially if conducted by a minister/priest whom they never met in life. It’s so sad to hear them relaying stories told to them by the family, frequently with comments like, “I wish I had met her,” or “It must have been so funny when,” interspersed throughout. It’s so sad. On the other hand, the funeral of a saved person is so completely different. We don’t grieve as ones who have no hope. The speaker knew the person well, and is sharing the loss, not just presiding over the ceremony. It makes a world of difference.

Since I am a bit of a control freak, I planned my funeral some time ago. I’m in pretty good health – I just want to have things in order so my family can relax if I die before them. Consequently I have a “living will” (basically, pull electric plugs as needed but don’t starve me to death or deny me water,) a regular will for my few possessions, and then the funeral plans. I want a party. I want a rowdy celebration. I want my family and friends to cry a bit because they’ll miss me, but I want them to cry from uncontrollable laughter as well. I want the gospel proclaimed in no uncertain terms. And I want there to be worship. In particular, the song below by Chris Rice. Emphasis in the lyrics is mine; I absolutely love that verse.

I’d love to know if other Christians are thinking along these lines. If you’ve got specific ideas for your funeral, post it in comments.

And Your Praise Goes On (Click to listen to this in Rhapsody*)
Chris Rice

The moon is high and the sunset fades
The lullabies have all been sung
We’re tuckin’ in another day
And stars appear now one by one
But the stillness moves and the silence yields
And not a single beat is lost
You can hear the chorus in the fields
Taking up where we left off
And Your praise goes on, rising to Your throne
Where You guard us while we dream
Past the stars they fly, Your praises fill the sky
‘Til You wake us with the dawn
And Your praise goes on
Now bring your warmth, O morning sun
Chase the stars and the moon away
And wake us with your brightest song
And add our voice to your refrain
Now rise up everything that lives!
Flap your wings and leap for joy!
Oh forest lift your arms and sway!
Clap your hands you ocean waves!
And Your praise goes on, rising to Your throne
Where You bless our toil and play
Through the clouds they rise, Your praises fill the skies
‘Til the setting of the sun
And Your praise goes on

And when my final breath You lend
I’ll thank You for the life You gave
But that won’t mean the praises end
‘Cause I won’t be silenced by the grave!
And Your praise goes on
I’ll be runnin’ to Your throne
With every nation, tribe and tongue
To Your arms I’ll fly
I’ll gaze into Your eyes
Then I’ll know as I am known
And Your praise goes on

And Your praise goes on
And Your praise goes on
Copyright Clumsy Fly Music (ASCAP)

*If you don’t have Rhapsody, I’ve been using it for several years and highly recommend it. You can take a 2-week trial and download 5 songs free so try it out.