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.
Regina says
A prayer for the peace of Christ for your grandfather. I read and love all of your writing. Thank you for sharing this gift with us!
Jackee hyatt says
Josh my condolences to you and your family. I pray Jesus gives you comfort during this difficult time.
I am so grateful for you and what you write and that I found this minimalist and decluttering opportunity.
Your grandpa sounded like a wonderful and wise man. Thank you for sharing him with all of us and thank you for all that you do. I will pray for you and your family and just know that you will be reunited with your awesome grandfather again.
Sounds like he is a huge reason you are the man that you are today. God bless you
david.lipton says
My mom lived a minimalist lifestyle. When she died she had organized the important stuff in manner that we could easily find and split between family members. More importantly in her last 20 years of life she did not acquire things that she did not need.
We were able to clear out her apartment in two weeks !!!. I consider this to be an amazing gift because I know of several people who went through agony and spent several years going through, sorting, and retrieving important things that their parents left behind.
Ryan Dwyer Mitchell says
Sorry for your loss
Celia B Whitehead says
This is so awesome! Thank you!
Jo-Neal Graves says
Thank you Joshua for sharing this very personal and touching news with the world. Your grandfather was a perfect role model for you and us all. Bless him and bless you. I am sorry for your great loss but happy for him to finally have his wish come true.
Amy M Cohen says
My mother often said “We are just renting “
My condolences to you
Thanks for sharing your eulogy
Michele says
My husband suddenly and unexpectedly died December 5th. I am in a tailspin of grief and confusion… and yet, the Lord has me and is keeping me. Through it all, every day He is showing me the strength and wisdom of now embracing the passion I’ve had for not only living tiny, but more importantly, living with less. After 36 years of marriage, my husband’s death has catapulted me into doing what I’ve been learning about from you and your audio books, Facebook groups, and these blog posts. Thank you for these. This particular one has deeply touched my heart and nudged me again to get up and do the things I need to do now. I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know.
Angeleck Nance says
Josh, my condolences to you and your family. Thank you for taking your time to write such an important article. The paradox written about is so important, and we need to live our lives as you suggested, and tell those who are unaware about Jesus and eternal life. Thank you!
Kathleen Satterthwaite says
Thank you for sharing your grandfather with us! What a blessing in life and now in death as you remember him and honor him by emulating his life. I grieve with you but not without hope! May the comforting arms of Jesus surround you and your family these days as you anticipate the Great Reunion in Heaven soon. Even so, Lord Jesus, COME!!!!
Praying Psalm 23 for you today.