Perspective on Death & Discipleship

One of my dead-guy-heroes is John G. Paton (not the general). Paton and his wife set sail to the New Hebrides islands in 1858. Missionaries first arrived on those island shores some twenty years previously and were killed, being eaten by cannibals only minutes after going ashore. You can imagine then, why well-meaning church members cautioned Paton, “You will be eaten by cannibals!” Paton’s response, while probably a little sassy, stands out in my mind as so rich with Biblical perspective on life, death, discipleship, and missions. Consider what he said to those concerned for his safety:

“Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms.”

I believe I can honestly say that I’m not afraid of death. However, considering possible ways that I could die often scare me. Being eaten by cannibals isn’t a way I’d really like to go. The apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 1:21 rattle around in my head, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” If I believe this, like Paton obviously did, then my life has but one purpose – To know Christ and make Him known through all I do. If my dying is gain (however it comes), this then shapes my living as a disciple. As it turns out, thinking about death is a helpful exercise in living my life well to the glory of God. Maybe we ought to do it a little more.