Thursday, June 12, 2014

Finding Grace among the Graves


One year ago, on Friday June 14th my dear friend Rainey Buscher died. I use the word “died” because it reflects the horrible reality that we all too often like to soften by describing it as a passing. Complications to chemotherapy are what killed Rainey. I watched him in the hospital fight so hard. We all were hoping just a few weeks/days earlier he had actually beaten the cancer. It turns out he might have beaten the cancer, but the effects of the drugs meant to kill the cancer would actually take his life. The chemotherapy caused some type of virus or something to attack his lungs. The reports, the best I can remember didn’t offer any hope. Death was quickly approaching despite my disbelief that my friend would soon be gone.

Rainey was transferred from the hospital to hospice where he would spend his last days. On the evening of Sunday June 9th Heather and I decided to go visit with Rainey knowing his days had nearly expired. To our surprise we happened to crash in on a party. Many of Rainey’s friends from both the Discovery and New Life Churches had brought food, music and wanted to celebrate. This was the most bittersweet celebrations that I have been and most likely will ever be privileged to participate in. It was a celebration of Jesus! It is how I prefer to remember Rainey. Rainey was a man passionately in love with the Lord Jesus which was expressed through his music and love for others. I remember crying, laughing, singing, praying and hoping that night would not end.

I visited Rainey again a day or so later and the enemy which we call death was drawing near. Rainey’s mind was slowly fading as was his ability to breath. He was a man on a mission. He shared with me a particular project he wanted me to at his house and explained in great detail every aspect of the job. I gave him my word that I would. This both brought joy to my heart knowing that I could actually do something to bring comfort to him while crushing my heart knowing I would never see him at his home. After leaving I could not stop the tears. I sobbed…I prayed…I sobbed…I prayed.

On Thursday June 13th while in a meeting with another pastor I received a call from Heather. Laura, Rainey’s wife, had told her that I needed to get to the hospice center ASAP. I left the meeting with an unbelievable amount of weight on my chest. While on the way to the hospice center I received a call from our social worker asking if the two girls, whom we would eventually adopt, could come stay with us early, like that evening. I remember wondering “what exactly are you doing Lord?”  I told her our predicament, but agreed to take them in that evening. I visited with Rainey and all who were there. They were about to increase or had just increased the pain medication and soon he would no longer be able to communicate. I hated the thought of that, but knew it was his wishes.

I also visited with Rainey on Friday. Everyone knew it was no longer a matter of weeks or even days, but hours and minutes. Rainey died soon after I left on Friday June 14th. I have wept almost weekly for the last year. My heart is still crushed and I still struggle to believe that he is dead. His death has affected me more than the passing of any other friend or family member. Why, I don’t really know except to say that young people are not supposed to die. It is not supposed to end this way.

A few weeks ago Heather and I had a weekend getaway in downtown Raleigh. We literally stayed a few blocks away from where Rainey was buried. On Sunday May 18th I decided to go for an early morning run to visit the place where Rainey’s body was placed in the ground. I spent a great deal of time praying for Rainey’s wife, sister, brother, mother and friends. I prayed for them who do not know Christ Jesus and follow Him would be saved. I prayed for others to be comforted by the Holy Spirit and God’s people.

I eventually started looking around and the grave stones and spotted one that stuck out. The stone read “Grace”. I again started praying and asking God where His Grace was among all these Graves. The honest truth I told God is the graveyard is a brutal reminder of the curse. It is a reminder that multitudes have perished because of the disease called sin of which no one can escape. While looking around at the thousands of graves I was reminded that broad is the way that leads to destruction and narrow is the path that leads to life. And that is when I really discovered Grace among the Graves. I remembered the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16. I thought if the multitudes in the graveyard could speak they, like the rich man, would want someone to tell their loved ones about salvation found in Christ Jesus alone. I was reminded that the Grace of God was displayed among the Graves when God demonstrated His power over death and the grave. You see the God who is revealed in the bible gave his life for us. He died a horrific and bloody death, but after three days He rose again. He later ascended to the right hand of the Father where He rules and reigns. The Bible declares that all men everywhere must turn from their sins and trust in Jesus. Trust that by dying, He died for your sins. Trust that forgiveness is possible only through the sacrifice of the Son of God. Trust that he can save you and grant you new life. Trust him with your life, your all. Seek Him, pray to Him, and plead with Him to save you. I am confident based on the Scriptures that if you will call upon the name of the Lord you will be saved.

As bitter as it is dealing with the death of my friend it is much sweeter than you can imagine. You see, I am confident that Rainey did trust in Christ as Savior and Lord. I am confident that Rainey, although absent from his body is present with the Lord. I am confident that Rainey is experiencing the fullness of joy in the very presence of God. I am confident you too could experience that reality if you will believe on Jesus.

If you are like me and Christ Jesus is your Lord, join with me and as ambassadors for Christ allow God to make an appeal to others through you to be reconciled to God.  Let us be moved by the Grace of the Grave by Praying, pleading and proclaiming the gospel in order that men will be saved. Let us do it for the glory of God alone.







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