I just came from the hospital and a brief visit in the Grimes’ home. Ray passed away this afternoon, about 45 minutes after Jan and I arrived at the hospital. We were blessed to be there with a faithful family able to rejoice that Ray was getting his wish to escape the hurt he was experiencing here on earth.
We shared a special time of remembering and celebrating, concluding with prayer. We thanked God for the victory he promises and had given to Ray. A few minutes later a nurse came in to tell us that the monitor was not showing any activity and that Ray was gone. I couldn’t help but think of the impossibility of her statement: “You can’t pronounce him dead; God has already pronounced him victorious.”
Some things are so obvious that we overlook them. I have a new phrase. Pronounced victorious. That is my goal; that is the goal of every Christian. Those are fitting words when death knocks.