Grief, but not without Hope!

For those of us in FCA, we lost a great one last week. One of our own, Rachel (Simon) Dixon was taken home on March 17, 2008. In high school, Rachel came to know Christ as her Savior and Lord through the FCA ministry of huddle coaches Mark and Lynn Wilson. Many of her friends also came to know Christ through Rachel's ministry during her high school and college years.

The funeral filled the gym at Wahoo High School with over 400 who heard the message of hope that is found in Christ alone. Josh Reynolds and I both attended, and the tears flowed. It's hard to say goodbye to someone like Rachel, even if it's just for a moment.

But the impact of her life goes on. The display of Christ as the most treasured reality in Rachel's life was bright and dazzling! So we grieved, but not without hope. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:13,14 that we grieve for those who have "fallen asleep", but our grieving is not hopeless. "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus." There it is! The message of the cross of Christ - that Jesus died and rose again! Do you believe this?

So Rachel's wonderful confession of Christ in life and in death remains with us, for us. What about you? Do you believe this? Do you want to know the hope of Christ that Rachel has (and yes, that's present tense!)? Will you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead? I pray you will. Visit www.morethanwinning.org to learn more about the message of the cross. See ya soon Rachel!

Chris Bubak - FCA-Nebraska State Director