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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