To live is Christ

“To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Paul’s words help us stay the course. In life. And death.

October 2000. The phone rang at our home in Virginia.

A friend living in Karachi was calling. 

“Ed is in very serious condition. Please pray.” 

Loss

At the time of the call, they were going from hospital to hospital. Trying to find a ventilator. 

None were available. And his body was shutting down. 

Later, word came. This dear brother had passed away. Possibly from cerebral malaria. 

Leaving behind his beloved wife and four young sons. 

We were in shock. 

Breakthrough

One afternoon, several years before, Ed walked over to us. His face glowing. “I’ve just had a Cornelius experience.” 

He proceeded to tell the story.

That weekend. Out in the village of an unreached people group. “Cornelius” met Ed and his fellow believer at the door with these words: “Are you here to tell us about Jesus?” 

Then he’d witnessed the entire family turn and follow Christ. Out of darkness, into the light.

Breakthrough. After years of toil. After he and his wife almost gave up. Almost stayed in America. Almost didn’t return to the difficult field.

Grief

We grieved. Tried to wrap our minds around this loss. For his family. For new believers. For the Kingdom of God.

On the day following Ed’s death, I was driving down the road. Weeping for his wife and family. Thinking about the agony he went through as he died.

Suddenly, as clear as day, these words came to me: “That morning he walked into the arms of the Father. The pain and tears, the agony, were gone. ‘Well done, My good and faithful servant…” 

What a comfort. We were mourning. But for Ed, “To live is Christ. To die in gain.” 

To Live is Christ

Over the next few days, I sat at the piano, notebook in hand. Lyrics and a tune flowed.

To Live Is Christ

By Susan Lafferty (In Memory of Ed Orme)
[Listen here: To Live Is Christ]

That morning he walked into the arms of the Father,
The pain and tears, the agony, were gone.
“Well done, My good and faithful servant—
Your life on earth was a race well run!”

Chorus:
To live is Christ, to die is gain.
Take up your cross and walk in all His ways.
A living sacrifice,
Holy and pleasing to Him.
That the world may know—
That the world may see—
Send me.

The Father so loves the peoples of the nations,
He sent His Son, He sends His children still,
To walk among the lost and love them.
Be His hands and feet, do the Father’s will.

Pouring your life into the soil of the desert—
Sometimes the dryness seeps into your soul.
But Jesus is the Living Water,
And in the wasteland, how the streams will flow.

written October 22-30, 2000
[Philippians 1:21; Luke 9:23; Romans 12:1-2; Isaiah 6:8; John 3:16; John 4:34; John 6:38; Isaiah 51:3; Isaiah 43:19-21] 

Utter joy

After the song was written, I received an email from a friend. Debbie. She and her husband had also been part of our fellowship in Karachi.

“When Steve told me of your email saying Ed was gone, I felt physically sick. I went to bed that night and was thinking about all the things he and his family had sacrificed—I asked God, ‘Why?’ 

“Suddenly I pictured Ed walking into heaven. And the look on his face as he worshipped the One he so clearly loved and so selflessly served. 

“What I can only describe as utter joy swept over me.”

Therefore, go

Years pass. And there’s more.

Pain and loss. 

Persecution of brothers and sisters. 

Deaths of friends whose lives were given. 

Yet, this song continues to comfort and challenge. With reminders.

We pray. We grieve. But in the end, for all of us who believe, “To live is Christ. To die is gain.”

Therefore, go and make disciples.

What about you?

How has the Lord taught you, “To live is Christ and to die is gain”? 

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