My grandfather passed away in 2020.
At his funeral, I delivered the eulogy. Here is a portion of what I said:
What can I say about this man? What can I say about a man I’ve always wanted to be just like? What can I say about a man who shaped my worldview and understanding of God more than anyone else? What can I say about a man I named my own son after?
He had a significant impact on my life. You can read my entire eulogy here.
During one of my last conversations with my grandfather, before he got sick on Thanksgiving, he made a statement to me that I found to be incredibly profound.
He said, “We live our entire lives under the shadow of death.”
While I didn’t tell him at the time, I found the statement to be deep and life-enhancing when understood correctly. In fact, merely hearing it brought about further resolve of my desire to live a minimalist life.
Consider its weight: We all live under the shadow of death.
That statement has been true in 2020 maybe more than any other year as local and national media regularly report death counts from all over the world and daily public service announcements can be heard over the airwaves asking us to act responsibly.
But death is not new to us—despite the unprecedented times we live in.
In fact, we live every day with the understanding that it may be our last. Not in a morbid, depressing way (shockingly so), but in the awareness and reality of understanding life.
Every time I get in my car to drive to work or the grocery store, I know, instinctively, something tragic could happen to me or another driver. I also know, full-well, that even if I don’t leave my house, a medical emergency could befall me or someone I love. I am not immune from a cancer diagnosis, a heart attack, a stroke, a brain aneurysm.
I have plenty of loved ones who unexpectedly received life-changing news, or were tragically stricken.
As grandpa said, “Life is lived under this shadow of death.” The reality of it surrounds us every day of our lives. And even if we don’t have a close, loved one who recently passed away, we almost certainly know someone who has.
Nobody escapes life alive.
But somehow it seems, human beings are able to both live with the knowledge of death and somehow function apart from it.
Death is inevitable. And yet, I am able to live wholly today, focused on the present and the future, as if it won’t happen to me today. I am aware of coming death, but not paralyzed by it. It is a fascinating paradox and ability of the human mind when you think about.
While the shadow of death does not paralyze me, in the quiet moments of life, the shadow motivates me and sharpens the wisest among us.
Only a fool lives as if their life will never end.
We receive one life to live, with a limited number of days and a limited number of resources with which to accomplish our purpose. Almost all of the resources we consume during our journey are limited: money, time, energy, space, focus, capacity, even the relationships we are able to pursue.
This reality of our finite nature is an incredibly important truth. It is one we should intentionally choose to focus on each day. Because when we do, it changes our actions, our motivations, and our pursuits. It changes us:
Because life is finite, we make better choices.
Because time is finite, we spend our days on things that matter.
Because money is finite, we spend it on pursuits that will outlast us.
Because our energy is finite, we choose carefully where we focus our passions.
Because our days are finite, we value relationships and love.
Because I live under the shadow of death, I will choose a minimalist life and reject the empty promise of consumerism and what this world offers. I will live for greater pursuits.
Life will end—indeed. And that realization should affect the decisions I make each day. But rather than causing me to throw in the towel and give up on life, this shadow of death will spark hope and resolve and passion to spend each remaining day of my life making the most of it.
Eve says
A beautiful post. On Earth we have pain and sorrow but This is not all there is. I fully expect to step from this life into eternity and my loved one too will be there because they came to the knowledge of the truth. There is a God and he will give you the peace you need to realize that death lost its sting when Jesus died for you. If you don’t know him, find out about him in the greatest book ever written. The bible.
Cynthia Simmons says
Thank you for sharing something so personal. I am very sorry for your loss.
Because of you I have been a minimalist for over 10 years now. The freedom it brings is indescribable.
Linda says
Thank you for sharing your grandpa’s life with us. Peace to you and all who loved him.
Marlene says
My parents loved your grandfathers program on Sunday mornings. They received it through one of our Sioux Falls stations though they lived in SW Minnesota. They would watch the program then go on to their regular church service. Snowy winter days he was their pastor for the day when it was for impossible for them to get to their country church! Deepest sympathies to your family but also great rejoicing that grandpa is with Jesus.
Terri Barnett says
So very sorry for the loss of your grandfather. He sounded like a very wise man. Thank you for sharing your wonderful insight.
Tammy says
I am so sorry for yours and your family’s loss. I praise God you had such a man in your life. A man who pointed you to Jesus and was filled with so much wisdom. Thank you for passing some of that wisdom on to us here today… Lord bless you.
Áine Rose McGowan says
I’m sorry for your loss of a great man who was your mentor. Death of a close and cherished loved one truly does bring life more into perspective, doesn’t it? My grandmother also passed on Christmas Eve, just a few months before her hundredth birthday.
Thank you for reminding us to value life and the importance of living it giving priority to the things which truly matter.
Evelyn Kuhn says
What a beautiful tribute about a man who lived his life well, thank you for sharing. What a blessing he was to all those he came in contact with. What a legacy you have.
CH says
My condolences on your loss. Your grandfather clearly made an impact on the world and on you most specifically. You continue his ministry in your own unique way.
Richard says
Hi Joshua
I read everything you write but this is powerful and what I needed to hear today. Thanks for sharing