Dance Like the Saved (In memory of Chris Chung… 1 year later)
I was shaking so violently my roommates thought I was demon possessed. It didn’t help that I was coughing up black phlegm. The night eventually passed somehow and in the morning McKinley Hospital diagnosed me with pneumonia and bronchitis. The feeling of all that sickness inside of you is indescribable. But I survived that freshman winter and life went on.
Seeing as to how weak I am to any kind of pain, I can’t imagine having a terminal disease. The word “cancer” makes me think of a menacing blackness hovering over and then destroying its victims. But there he was. His shaved head walked towards me and his sickly body followed slowly behind. In Benjamin Button-ish manner, his teen body looked like it had the life-force of an octogenarian. I gingerly held him and prayed for him the best way I knew how–in helplessness.
That retreat was one year ago and I can’t get Chris Chung off my mind. Although I was the retreat speaker, this high school kid spoke to me in ways that resonates in my heart even today. I preached the Word with my mouth. He preached it with his body.
Although ravaged with germ-cell cancer, Chris served throughout the retreat. So others would not worry, he tried his best to mask the unexpected grimaces when the pain would catch him off guard. In short, he wanted to be a blessing to others. When the retreat broke out into an all out worship celebration on the last night, Chris was right there with his peers jumping up and down.
We’re gonna dance like the saved.
We’re gonna sing like the saved.
I am not sure what a saved person’s dance looks like, but the kids seemed to understand that any dance that arises from a heart that loves the Lord pretty much qualifies. It was such a good time until…
Chris collapsed.
He got up to dance again.
Bad move.
He blacked out again.
The next day he lost use of his legs. And then a week later, I received a text message: “Chris passed away this morning.” I stood in a holy hush thanking the Lord for Chris.
Later I found out that his family knew of Chris’ impending death and they decided as a family that the last few days of his life on earth should be spent hearing God’s Word, praying, and worshiping. So that’s what he did. The last thing he did with his legs before they went dead was to dance before the Lord. I’m sure he’s enjoying his new legs in heaven. He might even be b-boying it in the presence of the Lord. Look Lord, this is for you! 
Who can dance for the Lord while in pain with cancer? The ones who love the Lord. The ones who fear dying in a moment when they are not treasuring the Lord. The saved.
Also, a word to preachers everywhere. I didn’t know it while I was doing it, but it dawned on me that God had appointed me to be the person who would feed Chris for the last time with His Word while he was alive. What a privilege. I am humbled that I had that task. To this day, I weep with a deep sense of honor that I got to do that. Let us never underestimate the privilege of feeding God’s people. When we feed God’s people with the bread of life, it gives them the energy to dance for the Lord… even when they have cancer.
I'm a pastor-husband-dad. This blog is a literary outlet for my thoughts & feelings. I hope all that is written here will ultimately point to His Redemption Story.
Lizz
3 Jan, 2010
like.
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pjong Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Lizz, b/c of you and Annie I put a “like” function on my blog now. Don’t get lazy now! Commenting is always better
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Annie
3 Jan, 2010
same with lizz
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HoJin
3 Jan, 2010
Another great post, P.Jong! Hope to see you in a couple of days!
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Henry Wu
4 Jan, 2010
I was at AF1 this past week and his home church performed ‘Alabaster Jar’ in his memory of Chris Chung. It was def. a blessing to hear his story.
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John LJ Kim
4 Jan, 2010
Thank you for continuing to honor Chris’ life, Pastor Jong. Almost a full year since his passing, I think we are finally over the sadness, and what remains is sheer inspiration. We did what we could do honor him at this past AF1…I secretly tried to pass out myself while ‘dancing like the saved’, but apparently my time has not come quite yet. :]
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Mark Ro
14 Jan, 2010
Thanks for this entry. I was really moved.
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Pearl Park
16 Jan, 2010
Makes me cry, but joyful for this young man who’s up in heaven doing the best thing in the world…dancing and singing for Jesus w/ the purest heart he could ever have. Inspiring story. Always wanted to die in my sleep, but I realize this is a MUCH better way to go!
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Michelle Yong
22 Jan, 2010
thank you.
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Frank Cho
18 Feb, 2010
Pastor Jong, thank you for sharing. God is good!
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Nom Hee
17 Mar, 2010
So many people at my church still miss him, talk about memories they have of him, etc. And the story that you mentioned where he was praising/dancing at AF1 is one of the most talked about. It is definitely an inspiring story to the youth group here and one that God really used to preach to our congregation about giving yourself fully to the Lord: body, mind, and soul: “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
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