I Can Only Imagine

Liz Jones

November 24, 1963-April 14, 2011

Today, a very special friend of ours, Liz Jones, went to be with Jesus. We attended church with Liz for 8 1/2 years, served with her on various outreach projects, a mission trip to Costa Rica, and alongside and under her leadership on the worship team. But perhaps the most wonderful experience we had with Liz was watching her show the love of Jesus by living a life of missions every single day. It wasn't just on "the mission field" abroad. It was in our community, in our church, in her prison ministry, through her gift of music, and through her life experiences that gave her special grace and understanding.

Liz was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. She underwent treatment, and it went into remission. In 2009 it was discovered that the cancer had metastasized to her liver. She began a very harsh course of chemo treatment again. Eventually, she decided that she could not endure the ravages to her body caused by the chemo, and discontinued treatment. Earlier in March of this year, she began to have headaches and it was discovered that she had several tumors on her brain. She was unable to undergo anymore treatment, and from that point on, her conditions quickly progressed. Hospice was called in, and they assured that she was kept comfortable, and her final days were peaceful and pain free.

Liz loved to talk and quickly befriended anyone. She was known for striking up a conversation about Jesus or giving an invitation to church or a ministry event to just about anyone: the cashier at Sam's, the cab driver, a person standing in line with her...anyone. She loved all things Latino and spoke Spanish fluently. She had attended language school in Costa Rica and served in missions there for several years, as well as being a part of many missions teams to various countries.

Liz had the gift of music...abundantly. She led our worship team, played piano, drums, marimba, guitar...and probably some other instruments of which I'm not even aware! And she could sing. She led coutless people into the throne room through her heartfelt worship.

Liz had the gift of prayer. She loved to pray for people. Even when she was going through her last round of chemo, that hit her the hardest, she came to worship practice and spent about 30 minutes praying for each of us on the team. She was a great intercessor. In her last days of being coherent, she was getting regular speech jumbled, but she would quote scripture perfectly...it was hidden so deeply in her heart.

I appreciate Liz so much for the love and encouragement she showed to me. She didn't have a husband or children, but she treated everyone like family. She prayed some of the most beautiful prayers over my children, for which I will always be grateful. She made everyone around her feel special and loved.

Liz's greatest legacy is the strength, courage, and faith that she showed even in the most discouraging of circumstances. I believe that our witness is powerful in good times, but even more profound in seasons of hardship. I know that the question of why a loving God allows suffering, especially to good people, is a stumbling block for many. My understanding is that suffering is a natural consequence of the rebellion of Adam and Eve, a natural consequence of the fall of Lucifer because of his pride, because he is the source of all evil. It is also a way for our character to be developped so that we can have gratitude for all our blessings, something that allows us to relate to others in similar situations to bring them comfort and encouragement, and something that makes us realize that we truly have need of a Savior because this world is not really our home.

I have been blessed to have had very little death to deal with in my life. Liz is the closest friend that I've ever lost. I am deeply saddened, and yet also deeply joyful because I know that she is in the presence of our Lord. I am completely confident of this. Watching her live well and finish well makes me want to do the same. I pray that my legacy brings glory to God the way hers has.