After several days of living in a tent, we were always ready to break camp and go home to enjoy the luxuries of a hot shower, clean clothes and a roof over our heads. We were truly happy camp breakers. No withdrawals; no need to attend any meetings of "Campers Anonymous." We like to camp inside dwellings with doorknobs.

Referring to his imminent death, the apostle Paul, wrote, "The time of my departure is at hand" (2 Timothy 4:6). He chose a very interesting word here, because in the original language, the word departure could also be described as breaking camp.

This can help us remember that when our death comes, our tent, also known as our body, will be laid aside when our spirit is stored with God while we sleep for a moment. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:1, "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

The word departure Paul used could also be translated, "to be released from shackles." It is the picture of a prisoner who was bound, but his shackles are being released. What a sight—what a relief!

Lastly, the word departure in the original language also describes a boat being untied from its moorings. So Paul was saying, "It's time to set sail. It's time to be freed from the shackles. It's time to break camp. It is good news, because after a twinkle nap (‘in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,' 1 Corinthians 15:52), I am going to a better location when the trumpet sounds."

This "departure" is a part of life, not the conclusion of it. It is a beginning, not something to be feared. It is not an ending, but it brings us to the verge of a joyous new beginning.