My friend died today. It’s been a long time coming but the reality of it is numbing. Last night, knowing it wouldn’t be long, I was thinking about and praying for her and her family. It struck me that I’d never see her smile again. That was a difficult thought.
What I remember most about her was her life, her vivacity, her passion and her clarity. To be with her was to be with someone who knew what was really important. She knew that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” And she lived it. Diagnosed with breast cancer of a very aggressive variety over 8 years ago, she knew in a way I find difficult to remember in the daily grind, that we’re all dying. Some get an idea of when it’s coming, as in her case, but biblically it seems we need to live with our death in view in some strange way (tho' not morbidly), for it impacts greatly how we live our life now.
My friend lived a life full of hope, even in the face of death, nasty thing that it is. It may be appointed to man once to die, and then the judgement, but those who love the Lord and who have life in Jesus through the cross know that the grave may be necessary and inevitable, but it is not the end. She gave an inspiring Christmas message a couple years ago entitled “All I want for Christmas is Easter.” The baby of Christmas was born to die years later for the sins of men - the cross of Easter was part of the Father's plan - and so was the victory over death and sin and the grave in the resurrection. The story isn't about a baby; it's about God and his love and his power; we can trust in our Father through all life brings. I have a copy of this still and know right where it is; no doubt I’ll listen to it again soon. She knew what she wanted was life that could not be taken away and she pursued it – and a relationship with the one true God who could give it to her - with all her heart.
It is my hope that this sad day will be but a seed in my own life to encourage me to pursue that same God. He is the giver of life, the savior of my soul, the gracious one who forgives the undeserving, the one who loves perfectly as I Corinthians 13 describes, the one who gives hope that does not disappoint, and who enables true and lasting peace that passes all understanding in any and all circumstances, even death. He has done all this for her, and brought it to completion this very day. Her earthly life is over and for me today this is definitely sad. But my sadness is but temporary. I rejoice that her suffering is truly over and she is with her heavenly Father in glory, alive forever. It is a "happily ever after" ending, and that is so good and so encouraging and gives me such hope. In my own life; he has done and is doing the same for me as well, and someday will bring my story to a happily ever after completion as well.
May I run the race so as to win the prize, and may I like my dear friend spur others on to do the same. May we run like the wind and live dangerously alive in Christ, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus…
P.S. Her obituary, which she penned herself, is worth reading.
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