Chad's Story
“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”
(Philippians 1:27)
This is the story of Pastor Chad Ryan Lucio, beloved husband of Kathy Lucio. He was born September 27, 1979 and entered eternal life on October 18, 2011. Chad’s story was part of his last sermon on September 18, 2011.
Growing up, I pretty much never thought anything bad was ever going to happen to me. I grew up without really a lot of trouble as a kid. Got married and ended up having 2 beautiful kids. But I can remember one day in 2005 I had some stomach pains that I dismissed. You see, my wife Kathy and I were living in Nicaragua as missionaries. We had planted a church, had various ministries to the poor and sick, and I honestly just thought I had a parasite or some stomach bug. I took some medicine and it seemed to get better. I didn’t believe anything was seriously wrong. We were scheduled to come home in February 2006 for our yearly furloughs, and while we were back here in CA, after the prompting of my family and wife, I decided to go get a physical and get checked out. I hadn’t had one for several years and probably needed one anyway. After describing some of the symptoms I had, my doctor referred me to a specialist. Some tests later my doctor came back with the news: “You have cancer.” It never crossed my mind. I remember coming home and telling my wife. After I told her, we just hugged each other. We were speechless, and could not believe that I had cancer.
6 years later, still living with cancer, now stage 4 terminal cancer, I have really wrestled with the concept: what is your purpose behind this Lord? What is your plan for my life now? Like every parent, I want to be here for my kids’ weddings. I want to be able to walk my daughter down the aisle. I want to hug and play with all those little grandchildren that are gonna’ be born down the road. There’s so much of life that I love and I want to live it. For a long time I really struggled honestly with “why God”? I still don’t have all the answers to this, and I may never in this lifetime. But as I consider everything, I think I’m starting to realize that a lot of my desires are selfish. They’re about me and what I want. They’re not about what God wants. I gave my life to God, and so He’s allowed to do what He wants with it. And if this is what He knows is gonna’ be best for me, even though I just don’t see it, then I have to accept that that’s what He knows is best.
What’s really amazing to me is that I’ve been pretty peaceful through it all. Obviously I have days when I cry. Both Kathy and I have moments where we just start sobbing. Thinking of the separation alone is nothing short of horrible… but I think God has really done what He said. He says He’ll always be with you, no matter what you go through. And He’s with us. He’s said He’ll give us peace – that surpasses all understanding – and He has. For example, it’s beyond my understanding how I can sit and have conversations with others, how I can laugh and still joke, enjoy teaching and singing, how I can read a book and how Kathy and I can enjoy a movie together in spite of everything going on. How can you enjoy life knowing that your death is very imminent? Answer: Jesus.
In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul says, “We do not lose heart, because even though hourly we’re wasting away, inwardly we’re being renewed day by day.” He goes on to say, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us a greater glory that far outweighs them all.” You and I aren’t supposed to focus on what is seen, but what is unseen. We don’t see all of what God is doing through the suffering and the hard times that we endure. It’s hard to look beyond ourselves. I tell God every day, “I don’t want this.” But in the end, it’s not about what I want, and I’m willing to accept it.
Jesus Himself was crying in the garden before He went to the cross. He asked His Father to take the suffering away from Him. But if not, Jesus said, “Not my will, but yours be done.” And I thought, “Wow, I can really relate to this,” because I feel the same way. I feel like, “God, I don’t want to die. I don’t want to go through this.” Jesus didn’t want to go through it either, but He surrendered His will to the Father. I understand that more now than ever. I understand a little bit more about Jesus and what He was feeling.
At times we can cling too much to this life. We don’t like letting go. As Christians we want so bad to go to heaven. But when that day approaches we have the hardest time accepting the fact that we must pass away in order to get there. We are told to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. I think that Jesus is really helping me more to think about heaven and that God has a good place for me. He’s prepared a place for you there. He has good things in store for you. When you die there’s not going to be anything here on this earth that you wish you could’ve done for another 10, 20, or 30 years because you will be in the very presence of God. You will be in heaven with all the saints praising God.
Understand that as long as we are alive, God still has a purpose and a plan for us. There are people to love. There are Scriptures to be read. There are sins to be repented of. There are truths to be learned. There are prayers to be prayed. There are opportunities for lost people to meet Jesus. There are opportunities for suffering people to be encouraged, and for hungry people to be fed, and for lonely people to be consoled. To live is Christ, Paul says. In fact, his encouragement to the Philippians, and my encouragement to you, church, is this: Philippians 1:27 - “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” You life is to be meaningful and purposeful, and that includes your suffering. To die is gain. The relationship that we have with Jesus in this life is perfected on the other side of death, because that is ultimately where our Savior has gone. He went to prepare a place for you and me; His sons and daughters.
Like Paul, may we be able to say, “I rejoice in the day of my death. And whenever God should feel that my work on this earth has come to its end, may I rejoice because I have lived with Christ and now I gain nothing less than the gift of God Himself forever with me and for me. His death is my life and His resurrection is a promise of mine as well.” The great mystery is not why do I suffer? The great mystery is why would the Son of God suffer on the cross for my sins, receiving the punishment that I deserve, so that I might be forgiven and declared righteous? Answer: because of His great love for us. Joy is a choice, it’s a lifestyle. May you find it in Jesus Christ today.
Pastor Chad Lucio
Especially For You
Friday Study Ministries
Ron@FridayStudy.org
www.FridayStudy.org |
