While the title of this blog entry might sound a bit morbid, the context surrounding it is filled with hope and assurance. ‘Death Is Not Dying’ is Rachel’s story. Rachel is a mother of 2 young children who, for 4 ½ years, has been fighting breast cancer. In the last few months, the cancer has spread to her liver, bones, brain and elsewhere, leaving her diagnosed with terminal cancer, and only being given 6-18 weeks left to live.
What is striking about Rachel is the outlook she has on the cancer, and the hope that she has despite a devastating diagnosis. She says, “Cancer does not define me. Neither does being a wife or a mother. All these things are part of who I am but they do not define me. What defines me is my relationship with Jesus."
Rachel spoke to 600 women in Vancouver back in late March about her journey with cancer, and more importantly, how she is finding hope in the midst of death. I would highly recommend watching Rachel’s video (it is 55 minutes and worth every second). While there is honest pain, loss and real emotion that she is experiencing, the peace that comes from assurance in her salvation despite the physical death that awaits her could not be clearer. She is a mother and a wife who has her eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of her faith. God has been so kind to her to give her a faith that saves (as she says), and it is this faith that is carrying her in what must be the most difficult period in her lifetime.
Knowing God and knowing your purpose are two of the points she makes in her speech. Her emphasis on knowing God and who He is, rather than by who we think He is, has helped ground her in times of trial and testing. Knowing that God and His attributes do not change, she can stand firm upon Christ and who He is despite her changing circumstances. There is rest that comes from knowing and experiencing the stability and trustworthiness of God, who loves us and cares for us and will never leave us or forsake us!
Her final point of knowing your purpose was one of the most powerful moments in her speech for me. Everything happens for a reason because God, in His wisdom and power, causes all things to happen for His ultimate glory. Rachel’s cancer has happened for a reason. It is not random, and it is not done to punish her or to spite her. There is a purpose and a plan behind why Rachel is dying from cancer. Jesus’ death on the cross made a way for sinful man (all of us) to have reconciliation unto a Holy God. His death was not done in vain. Similarly, Rachel stated that if her dying from cancer would bring even one person to a saving faith in Jesus, than it is a privilege and an honor for her death to result in the saving life of another.
Death is not dying when you have a faith that saves. Faith is a gift from God, and Rachel’s faith will carry her into eternity with her Heavenly Father, who loves her and cares for her deeply.