I’m not sure why lately I’ve been thinking a great deal of mortality and death. Part of that comes from working on a video series for local fundraising event. But in general I’m seeing how quickly time is moving and the vastness and incomprehendable nature of eternity. It makes you examine things.
After I posted the cancer video I created on my blog, I received an email pointing me to the following story about a cancer victim. I would strongly encourage you to watch the entire video and visit the website.
After four and a half years of vigilantly fighting breast cancer, the 37 year old wife and mother of two was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
But for Rachel the essence of life is found in her relationship with God through Jesus. And that’s why Rachel is convinced that death is not dying.
On March 4, 2009, what started out as a small talk to a women’s group at her church grew into an event attended by 600 women from around Vancouver, giving Rachel an opportunity to share about her hope in the midst of terminal cancer.
Rachel’s honest and thought-provoking talk touched women of all ages and left a hunger for discovering more about Rachel’s journey and the faith that has so deeply affected her life.
While I love the video of Dr. Randy Pausch who offers some great messages about life, it does not acknowledge that the primary purpose of our lives is to be like Christ and serve with joy. This is a powerful reminder of why we are on this planet.
As the emailer wrote,
Rachel passed away almost a month ago, but the video of her talk in March is worth knowing about and sharing, even if it is a little on the long side. It’s one of the clearest and most articulate statements of what it means to be a Christian that I know of.
Death is not Dying from Rachel Barkey.
