By james art The 11-time world cycling champion and six-time Olympic gold medalist has spoken openly about his terminal cancer, which has spread from his prostate. Yet he is single-minded in his determination to find hope and happiness in this last home right.
What an abundance of empathy, sympathy, support and raw awe greeted Sir Chris’s candor, honesty, courage and character to be so forthright in his prognosis.
And what a heavy burden the Hoy family carries, including Chris’ wife Sarah Kemp’s debilitating multiple sclerosis.
Our hearts go out to Chris, Sarah, their son Callum, 10, and daughter Chloe, seven, and the extended family, because no matter how determined one is to make the most of the time one has left, there is accompanying pain, grief and sadness.
Telling his children about his cancer over dinner was one of the hardest things Chris had to do, and the time between notifying the public of his cancer treatment and the recent admission that he was terminally ill with (according to doctors) two to four years to live, will give him and his family and close friends time to process the range of emotions that help us cope with such a dire reality.
Let’s not be fooled by how positive Sir Chris is about his battle with cancer and aim to celebrate life and life to the finish line. And here is where faith can give rise to hope not only for a legend of a legacy left behind, but also for the future of a brand new spiritual body and existence beyond the grave.
Did you know that 42 years ago Sir Chris took up cycling?
That, as well as representing many worthy causes, he has a passion for supporting people in their mental health, that he has won numerous car races and has written two children’s books, Flying Fergus and Be Amazing!?
I have quoted this passage from the Bible several times recently, but it resonates so strongly with Sir Chris’s character and positivity.
I don’t know where Sir Chris stands with the re-faith, but I believe it is likely that sacrificial Love was poured into his heart and had a great influence and inspiration in his life, not least the love of family and friends.
May God’s deep Love for you as His “precious child” help you rise to the challenges and opportunities of life.
Peace and hope (Romans 5:1-4 / NIV)
And so, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom by faith we have access to this grace in which we now stand.
And we boast in the hope of God’s glory. Not only that, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; constancy, character; and character, hope.
And this hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.