ABC Backwards
In March 2006, my dear friend Steve was dying from bladder cancer at the young age of 43. I visited him early one morning to have a private discussion about what happens when we die. As I drove to the hospital, I reflected on our friendship and all the adversity Steve endured in his life.
We met in grade 3. Steve’s mom had died from cancer when he was four. About ten years later his step-mother, whom he loved, divorced his dad because of his alcoholism, brought on by losing his first wife. In grade 10, while golfing together, Steve witnessed his brother accidentally hit our friend Brian in the head with a golf ball while teeing off. Brian died a few days later.
At age 19, while cliff diving at White Cliff Park, Steve hit his head on a rock and became a quadriplegic. After months of rehab, Steve attended SFU and earned a business degree. After that, not only did he get a full-time job, but he also started his own business, a Sports Card store. This was particularly special to Steve because his dad helped him manage the store during the week, giving his father a sense of purpose. Unfortunately, a few years later, Steve found his dad dead, in his apartment, from alcohol poisoning. And after experiencing all of that, Steve was now on his deathbed because of cancer. “Damn, life was so unfair to Steve!”, I thought to myself.
During my visit with Steve that early March morning, we had the following conversation:
“Of course, I want to believe in heaven where I can live pain and problem free forever!”, Steve said.
I replied, “God offers each of us everlasting life. This promise only requires that we believe and accept Jesus’ offer to have a relationship with Him.”
“But I don’t think I’m good enough to make it into heaven”, Steve argued. “Chad, you’ve shared this ‘relationship instead of religion’ stuff with me years ago and I didn’t accept it then. How, when I’m about to die, can I ask God to forgive me after I’ve ignored him all these years? Of course, I’d like a free ticket through the ‘pearly gates’ but that would make me a hypocrite!”
With tears streaming down our faces, I told him how much I cared for him and how much God loved him. “He loves us all, Steve. It is never too late to begin a relationship with Jesus.”
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ABC Backwards
In March 2006, my dear friend Steve was dying from bladder cancer at the young age of 43. I visited him early one morning to have a private discussion about what happens when we die. As I drove to the hospital, I reflected on our friendship and all the adversity Steve endured in his life.
We met in grade 3. Steve’s mom had died from cancer when he was four. About ten years later his step-mother, whom he loved, divorced his dad because of his alcoholism, brought on by losing his first wife. In grade 10, while golfing together, Steve witnessed his brother accidentally hit our friend Brian in the head with a golf ball while teeing off. Brian died a few days later.
At age 19, while cliff diving at White Cliff Park, Steve hit his head on a rock and became a quadriplegic. After months of rehab, Steve attended SFU and earned a business degree. After that, not only did he get a full-time job, but he also started his own business, a Sports Card store. This was particularly special to Steve because his dad helped him manage the store during the week, giving his father a sense of purpose. Unfortunately, a few years later, Steve found his dad dead, in his apartment, from alcohol poisoning. And after experiencing all of that, Steve was now on his deathbed because of cancer. “Damn, life was so unfair to Steve!”, I thought to myself.
During my visit with Steve that early March morning, we had the following conversation:
“Of course, I want to believe in heaven where I can live pain and problem free forever!”, Steve said.
I replied, “God offers each of us everlasting life. This promise only requires that we believe and accept Jesus’ offer to have a relationship with Him.”
“But I don’t think I’m good enough to make it into heaven”, Steve argued. “Chad, you’ve shared this ‘relationship instead of religion’ stuff with me years ago and I didn’t accept it then. How, when I’m about to die, can I ask God to forgive me after I’ve ignored him all these years? Of course, I’d like a free ticket through the ‘pearly gates’ but that would make me a hypocrite!”
With tears streaming down our faces, I told him how much I cared for him and how much God loved him. “He loves us all, Steve. It is never too late to begin a relationship with Jesus.”
Steve (blond hair) & Chad (can you guess?) – photo 1977
I left Steve and immediately called my ‘faith coach’, Tom Howse. “What incredible integrity Steve is displaying!” exclaimed Tom. Over the years, Tom had met with Steve several times explaining the value of building a relationship with God. After my call, Tom visited Steve in the hospital and reminded him how simple it would be to enter into such a relationship. “Steve, this is just between you and God. You don’t have to go to a church or talk to a pastor or priest to become part of God’s family. To do so, it’s as simple as ABC backwards:
C = Confess – that you are far from perfect…everyone is. Tell God you are sorry for ignoring him all these years.
B = Believe – that Jesus is God, that He loves you and wants a relationship with you.
A = Accept – Jesus’ offer of forgiveness and a relationship with Him now and for eternity.”
Sadly, Steve passed away while I was on vacation, and neither Tom nor I had been able to see him before he passed. I was dejected not knowing if Steve had reached out to God despite his feelings of hypocrisy.
Steve (blond hair) & Chad (can you guess?) – photo 1977
I left Steve and immediately called my ‘faith coach’, Tom Howse. “What incredible integrity Steve is displaying!” exclaimed Tom. Over the years, Tom had met with Steve several times explaining the value of building a relationship with God. After my call, Tom visited Steve in the hospital and reminded him how simple it would be to enter into such a relationship. “Steve, this is just between you and God. You don’t have to go to a church or talk to a pastor or priest to become part of God’s family. To do so, it’s as simple as ABC backwards:
C = Confess – that you are far from perfect…everyone is. Tell God you are sorry for ignoring him all these years.
B = Believe – that Jesus is God, that He loves you and wants a relationship with you.
A = Accept – Jesus’ offer of forgiveness and a relationship with Him now and for eternity.”
Sadly, Steve passed away while I was on vacation, and neither Tom nor I had been able to see him before he passed. I was dejected not knowing if Steve had reached out to God despite his feelings of hypocrisy.
Weeks later I received a call from a very excited Tom. “Chad, you won’t believe this!”, Tom exclaimed. “I don’t know why but I felt compelled to reach out to a guy I used to mentor, Frank, whom I hadn’t seen in years. He shared that his friend Steve had recently died. Frank had worked with Steve and had many discussions about the Christian faith with him.”
Frank told Tom, “God was getting Steve’s attention through me at the office and from Chad in his personal life. I went to visit Steve in the hospital days before he died. There were visitors in his room but Steve, in front of everyone, told me that he had asked Jesus into his life.
Weeks later I received a call from a very excited Tom. “Chad, you won’t believe this!”, Tom exclaimed. “I don’t know why but I felt compelled to reach out to a guy I used to mentor, Frank, whom I hadn’t seen in years. He shared that his friend Steve had recently died. Frank had worked with Steve and had many discussions about the Christian faith with him.”
Frank told Tom, “God was getting Steve’s attention through me at the office and from Chad in his personal life. I went to visit Steve in the hospital days before he died. There were visitors in his room but Steve, in front of everyone, told me that he had asked Jesus into his life. He said he’d
He said he’d recently had further conversations with you and Chad about Heaven and God, so he finally decided to start a relationship with Him!”
I was elated to hear this tremendous news and I was amazed how “by chance” we came to know of Steve’s most important decision. Over the years, I’ve reflected on and questioned many aspects of Steve’s life. Perhaps you can relate to my pondering?
Steve was a confident, resilient achiever who was also a deep thinker. Despite all his adversities, Steve didn’t feel he needed God, until he actually faced his own mortality. Why?
As great as Steve’s ultimate faith decision was, could his life on earth have been more enriched had he been in relationship with God many years sooner?
recently had further conversations with you and Chad about Heaven and God, so he finally decided to start a relationship with Him!”
I was elated to hear this tremendous news and I was amazed how “by chance” we came to know of Steve’s most important decision. Over the years, I’ve reflected on and questioned many aspects of Steve’s life. Perhaps you can relate to my pondering?
Steve was a confident, resilient achiever who was also a deep thinker. Despite all his adversities, Steve didn’t feel he needed God, until he actually faced his own mortality. Why?
As great as Steve’s ultimate faith decision was, could his life on earth have been more enriched had he been in relationship with God many years sooner?