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Jesus - 1 Death - 0

As of Tuesday morning, Raymond Provance, (Jake’s grandfather, Keith’s father) crossed over and met Jesus. It was difficult to write that sentence. We were very close. He had such an amazing legacy. He was married for 75 years to Mamie. What a powerful testimony of faithfulness. Being that tears are already invading my face, I’ll condense many of the things I’d like to say about him to this: he was honorable, and his son and grandson are incredibly grateful that God chose Raymond Provance as the one whose shoulders we would stand upon.

Thank you to those who sent us kind emails of encouragement after our last update. We read every one and felt the strength your prayers carried with them.


I don’t think death is easy on anyone. Whenever someone says goodbye to a dear loved one, on this side of the fence, it’s tough. We were very fortunate to spend as much time as we did with him. We are grateful for every moment, and so incredibly thankful that God is taking care of him in Heaven. Ray loved him some Cardinals baseball. I like to imagine him up there in heaven, full out sprinting on the diamond, catching balls over the fence, rounding bases, and eating hotdogs afterwards with some friends and family. I don’t think I’m far off either. I’m so thankful for our Lord. He is so sweet and kind. I’m thankful that He is the one who made sure that Ray had a blast in his heavenly homecoming.


People often say, “We don’t grieve like the world does… but we still grieve.” I get the heart behind it, but it sells our hope short. Scripture doesn’t tack on “but we still grieve.” It simply says:


“We do not grieve like people who have no hope.” —1 Thessalonians 4:13


Paul doubles down in 1 Corinthians 15:


“Death is swallowed up in victory.O death, where is your sting?”


Trust in a resurrected King overshadows the ache. Yes, the Provance clan has some healing to do; yes, we miss our buddy.


But the stinger is gone, and the scoreboard still reads Jesus 1 – Death 0.


Interestingly enough, many never let Paul finish his thought when they read the above verse. Take a look at it in context sometime (1 Corinthians 15:54-58). For brevity sake, I’ll skip to the last verse, the part that most leave off at the memorial service:

 

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].”


Ladies and gentlemen, let me pick up Paul’s megaphone for a minute. The finish line is closer than any of us realize; one more heartbeat and we’ll be on the other side of the fence. Death has already been declawed—Jesus pocketed the keys (1 Cor 15:55–57)—so the scoreboard is settled. What’s left? Work while it’s still daylight (John 9:4). Make hay before the sun drops, because night is coming, and eternity is long.


You carry a ministry—even if you never touch a pulpit. Redeem the time (Eph 5:16) in the carpool line, the break room, the FaceTime call with your mom. Love your spouse like it’s the bottom of the ninth. Tuck your kids in with Scripture on your breath. Be the anchor your family grabs when the waves kick up. Sometimes Kingdom warfare looks like scrubbing oatmeal off a toddler’s spoon or folding towels at 11 p.m. If you do it “unto the Lord” (Col 3:23), heaven records it in ink that will never fade.


Don’t despise the hidden grind. “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap” (Gal 6:9). Every small act—every prayer whispered over a sleeping child, every cup of water slid across a counter in Jesus’ name—is significant. None of it is wasted, Paul promises; “your labor in the Lord is not futile” (1 Cor 15:58).


So, number your days (Ps 90:12), lace up your boots, and swing for the fences. Clean the dish, write the check, share the Gospel, hug the prodigal—whatever assignment He hands you today. The grave is empty, the King is alive, and our brief window of daylight is blazing. Let’s drain every last drop of it for His glory.


We love you, and we’re grateful to lock arms with you for the Gospel.

See you at the finish line,

Jake & Keith Provance

 

 
 
 

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PO Box 701403
Tulsa, OK 74170

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