While I try not to watch the news too often I do stay up on current events and it was impossible not to hear about the tragedy that occurred in Oregon this past week. Nine people were killed while they attended a class at their college. Others were injured. More than that though, families were shattered, friends and loved ones are left behind, a community once again is shaken and our country is left wondering what’s next????
We now know that these nine souls were killed because when given a choice, they chose Jesus. They chose to proclaim that they were indeed Christians and because of that a gunman decided that their fate would be to be with Jesus at this time rather than allow them the opportunity to live the life God had planned for them.
For a moment I want to put all the political stuff aside, which is hard to do since the politicians, news and social media have erupted into a storm of debates over whose agenda is going to “fix this problem.” I want to reflect on what these 9 people did, they chose Jesus. They chose to glorify God in their final moment, they chose to give up their life to publicly declare that the ONLY ONE who has ultimate control over them is GOD. This is so powerful it shakes me to the core!!
I have prayed for their families, for their friends, for their loved ones, for everyone who is left with an empty hole in their hearts over this loss. I am also praying for my family, my community, my country, praying that this never happens again, but praying even more that my faith and my trust in God could be as strong as these nine individuals.
Over 8 years ago I publicly accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I always believed in God but I wasn’t always living a God honoring life. I made a promise to God, at that time, that while I may and often do fail, I would do my best to live a life that honors God and I would try to live out HIS will for my life. But, and it’s a great big huge BUT….if I had to make the choice that these people made, would I have the courage to do it? I earnestly pray that I will never have to make this choice but I am being totally honest and transparent right now, I don’t know what I’d do. I wonder if other people think about this. I love God so much, I truly do, I pray all the time that people would know that I’m a Christian by my words and actions, but yet if given the choice, what would I do? I can’t help but think that I would think of my daughter, of my husband, of a million other reasons why I need to be here on earth and not proclaim, at that moment, that I love God and would be willing to die for Him.
I am reminded of Abraham, when God asked him to sacrifice his son. Abraham loved, honored and trusted God so much he was going to do whatever God asked of him, even give up his son. God himself sent his son to be a sacrifice for all of us. Who am I to ever doubt God’s goodness and His love for us, for all of His children? Who am I to think, even for a second, that God is not going to take care of all of the families and loved ones left behind in this tragedy and that somehow His glory and His light will shine through even through this horror?
Maybe as a country we should all be asking ourselves these questions and wondering if we love God enough? Maybe if we all loved God more tragedies like this wouldn’t happen because more of us would be sharing God’s love with each other and there wouldn’t be so much anger and hatred. Maybe this should be what the politicians, news and social media should be buzzing about. How can we all LOVE GOD GREATER!
I don’t know, but I do know that these nine people are heroes to me. Some people may not understand this or see it this way. Webster’s defines a hero as someone who is admired for a great or brave act. I think they were beyond brave, they were completely selfless. They were willing to die for what they believed in, I was reminded this morning by an elder at our church and someone I admire, they were martyrs. They should be remembered, just as every hero and martyr should always be remembered and God should be glorified through their lives and their death. This shouldn’t be about gun control or mental illness or anything else, this is about good and evil. This is about GOD, make it about GOD, talk about GOD!!!
Their sacrifice should be used to bring more people closer to GOD!!!! Maybe if more people knew Jesus then there will be less hatred and more love, less pain and more healing, less sadness and more joy. Maybe we wouldn’t have to worry about anyone going into our schools and hurting our loved ones. Maybe……just maybe we should all choose Jesus, I believe it would be the best choice.
May God eternally bless Lucero Alcaraz, Quinn Glen Cooper, Kim Saltmarsh Dietz, Lucas Eibel, Jason Dale Johnson, Lawrence Levine, Sarena Dawn Moore, Treven Taylor Anspach, and Rebecka Ann Carnes.
When given a choice, they chose Jesus.
Thanks JDA! :)
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