"And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things" (2 Peter 1:15 NIV).

"After my departure." Death is a departure from this world to the next. After Simeon took the Christ child in his arms, he made a request of God: "Now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation..." (Luke 2:30). Death is a dismissal. We depart in peace.

Other biblical phrases that describe our death (departure, dismissal) are interesting. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were "gathered to their people." Solomon said the spirit "returns to the God who gave it." John says we will "rest from our labors." Why don't we use biblical phrases and pictures like these instead of "he (or she) passed away." The Bible says the world and its desires "pass away" (1 John 2:17) while the person who does God's will "lives forever." My friend David Faust says, "Instead of saying, 'He passed away,' we should learn to say, 'He lives forever!'"

Prayer: Gracious Father, how good it is to know that You dismiss Your servants in peace! Thank You for preparing a place for us to dwell with You forever. Through Christ we pray.