“One Breath Away From God”

In 2002, I participated with a small group of pastors that were invited to meet Dr. Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusade for Christ) in his home. At this point in his life, Dr. Bright was suffering from pulmonary fibrosis and only had a few months to live. Nonetheless, he remained quite lucid and passionate about encouraging and equipping pastors and other church leaders.

As we listened to his presentation and spoke with him individually that day, I was struck by how lovingly and intimately he spoke of Christ. He repeatedly referred to Jesus as “our precious Savior” and always had a loving and longing look in his eyes when speaking about his relationship with God. None of it seemed performative. This man was genuinely in love with Jesus.

Earlier, James Davis, Dr. Bright’s assistant, had shared a story about a recent conversation they had shared while traveling together. He had asked Dr. Bright how he was feeling, to which Dr. Bright answered, “I’m rejoicing!” Davis responded, “Dr. Bright, I am not asking about your attitude. Your attitude in impeccable. I’m asking how you feel.” Dr. Bright smiled and said, “I’m a little cold today.”

With this, Brother Davis told us, “I raised the temperature in the cabin a bit, took off my coat, and draped it over Dr. Bright’s shoulders. Then I knelt beside him and began to weep. Dr. Bright took my hand and said, ‘I don’t want you to weep for me, James. Don’t you understand? This is a very exciting time in my life. I am one breath away from God.’”

That story and encounter profoundly impacted me. I believe that Bill Bright taught me how to die. According to his team, he never complained, never got angry, and never spoke in self-pity. He simply, to use his own term, rejoiced in his savior until he met Him face-to-face.

I cannot say that I have not complained or experienced self-pity since that day. Certainly, they remain integral parts of coping with grief and loss and should not be judged or condemned. However, this experience reoriented my perspective on facing death and gave me a profound example to follow in times of suffering or uncertainty.

May we all lives our lives as if we are “one breath away from God.”