It wasn't that I was numb to the plight of breast cancer, It was just something outside my experience, and it would have felt kind of odd identifying with something I really couldn't relate to. And though I admired the women I spotted along the route sporting their "survivor" paraphernalia, my mental response was generally along the lines of "that's nice."
That is, until I was diagnosed with breast cancer myself. Suddenly, I remembered all those "pink ladies" along the race routes, and they took on a new significance. Here was proof positive that there was hope, and it was a powerful message. Those women had faced the same dreaded diagnosis I was facing, and they were living examples that it was possible to overcome, even thrive.
This November, I am looking forward to putting on my pink for the Richmond Half Marathon again, with the added touch of distinguishing myself as a breast cancer survivor this year. I want to celebrate and rejoice out in the open, and I want to spread the message that there is hope because I know how heavy the weight of hopelessness can be.
As Christians, we have a similar opportunity to spread hope on a larger scale, but I think it's one we often miss (at least I know I have). The people we encounter may have different backgrounds, experiences, and views, but if there is one thing we can all agree on, it's that our world is broken, and real hope is scarce.
But fellow Christians, we are survivors. We face the same troubles, have the same fears, and struggle with the same sins as our unbelieving friends and neighbors, but we have Christ. So our hope rests not in fleeting possessions, temporal achievements, momentary happiness, or even our well-intentioned good deeds, but in Him.
Because we have this "firm and secure hope" as an anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:19), we can exude joy, even in the midst of trouble. We can exhibit peace in a world marked by turmoil. We can express contentment in a culture that tells us we never have enough. We can be open and honest about our failures and shortcomings because we know Christ is at work in us.
We aren't called to pretend to be untouched by the brokenness of this world, but are instead instructed to always be prepared to explain why we have hope in spite of it. In Christ, we are free to be transparent and authentic, and we have every reason to celebrate and rejoice out in the open. Do not underestimate the power of a survivor. The world is watching, and the world desperately needs hope.
