I DESIRE TO END WELL

I have read about the departure moments of several men of purpose but that of Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa was outstanding. Before he died, his last sermon was titled, "Benefit of Death".

He told his congregants how he'll die. He said, "I may be with people at home and while we are talking, I will be gone just like that." Further, he told them he'll die when he was done with his assignment.

That's crucial. He held a meeting with some guests. Later that afternoon, at lunch with his guests, he spoke about heaven. He asked them whether they believed it was possible for one to walk to heaven like Elijah did?

He said he would prefer to be translated like Enoch and Elijah. He told them he had a heavenly drink in his cup. He took the “pure heaven” juice on the table and drank from it, making a humorous statement about going to heaven.

He spoke as though he knew it was time to go and he was loud about it because he clearly told his people that he'll be gone after he was through with his assignment.

Shortly after he had instructed a deaconess on what the guests should eat for dinner, he began to repeat the words ‘Thank you Jesus’ then suddenly threw his head back on the chair and gave up the ghost!!!

He died because he had finished his assignment. Like Idahosa like Paul. When Paul was done with his assignment, he said, "I have been poured out like a drink offering".

I am far from the reality of that statement. If I say that about myself now, it is but an empty statement. In years to come, after being poured out like a drink offering, I'll love to speak like Paul saying, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful."(2 Timothy 4:7 NLT).

This is not an empty boast, this was a statement made by a man who walked with God and served Him faithfully. He had his score card before leaving the earth.

Your life and mine must count for eternal purpose daily. All that God has invested in us must be exhausted before our obituary is printed.

As we celebrate birthdays and special anniversaries, in as much as it is proper to thank God for seeing another year, also, we should be able to point at milestones in purpose, appraise ourselves in order to be sure we're still on track and if found wanting, quick adjustment should be made. The Psalmist says, "Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom"(Psalms 90:12 NLT).

It is wisdom to align with God's purpose for our lives. It is a misnomer to celebrate a man whose life has not counted for his eternal assignment here on earth. Such saddens the heart of God.

Like Apostle Paul, having done the will of God, it will be nice to look back at the tail end of life and say, "And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing."(2 Timothy 4:8 NLT).