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Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.—1 Thessalonians 4:13 TNIV

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.—1 Peter 3:15b TNIV

I’d known Dennis Gillespie casually for several years. A retired Lutheran minister, he was intrigued by both Mennonites and Orthodox faith. In recent years, he attended our worship services at Park View Mennonite Church and occasionally participated in our Sunday school class. His recent death from cancer underscored his deep Christian faith in a most unusual way.

At the graveside service, pastor Phil Kniss commented that in all his years of conducting funerals, he had never met a man who was more prepared for death than Dennis Gillespie. Phil spoke on good evidence, which I shall explain partly as a God sighting, an evidence of God at work in Dennis’ life.

Although I’ve known many people who purchased a casket in preparation for their burial, I’ve never met anyone else who kept the coffin in the living room for a couple of years prior to death. Lest you think of Dennis as morbid, let me explain.

Because of his appreciation for the Orthodox Christian tradition, Dennis purchased a wooden casket crafted by an Orthodox priest. The pine box doubled as an attractive cabinet, standing on end with several shelves that housed books and curios. Engraved on the side in artful eye-catching script were the words—Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. The lid (not used as furniture) was accented by an attractive Orthodox cross made of walnut wood, which contrasted nicely with the light-colored box. Dennis opted for a “green” burial, with no embalming or concrete burial crypt.

At the grave site, his three children and friends joined in a ritual infused with prayer, Scripture and careful theological reflection, all written by Dennis in anticipation of that moment. Halfway through the ritual of words, the casket was lowered into the ground, and participants were invited to throw dirt on top of the wooden box.

But another important part of Dennis’ preparation for his death was evident in the way he faced his final weeks of life. It was only a few short weeks before his death that he first learned that he had terminal cancer. Although his final illness came as a surprise, he took the diagnosis in stride and made the final preparations for his home­going.

As I reflected on Dennis’ unusual preparation for death, I saw the work of God in his life in a new way. Now I am convinced it was God who gave Dennis the courage and grace to look death in the face without flinching.

In fact, I have observed a number of women and men who reflected an unusually calm demeanor as they faced their final days. In every case, their faith in God was a crucial part of their assurance. Within the last month, I have met two people who recently came to faith in Christ because they observed the peace and assurance with which particular people faced death.

My interaction with Dennis Gillespie and others points me in a fresh way to look for the evidence of God’s work in their lives. It prompts me to think that the close of one’s life is perhaps one of the best times to look for the indications of God at work. It won’t be possible, of course, to trace out all the ways that God’s Spirit has been at work in an individual, but some clues are simply too obvious to miss.

May God help us all recognize at least those signs and give thanks to God.

Ervin Stutzman is executive director of Mennonite Church USA.