“Are you a Christian?” were the last words some of the students in Oregon at Umpqua Community College heard on that heart breaking day, as a gunman took over their school. If they answered “Yes, I am a Christian” they were shot, and for 8 students and 1 teacher that meant the end for them here on earth. Those students went to school, having no idea that this day would be their last. Their parents, never knowing that would be the last time they would speak to or see their child. Yes, these students were now in college and weren’t small like mine and they may not have even been living with their parents anymore, but not too long ago there was a mom or dad out there rocking this very child to sleep at night just as I did with mine tonight. They spent endless hours reading them the bible, and praying over them each and every day, just as I do with mine. I would even being willing to guess that they probably prayed for their child that very morning their child was shot and killed, asking God to be with them even when they can’t be. As a mom, this shakes me to my core. As a Christian mom, this fills me with so many questions and complete grief for these families.
What if my child stood where these students did? What if they were asked this very question? Would I want them to answer “Yes” and not see them again until we are reunited in Heaven? Or Would I want them to scream “No” even though it would be a lie? Would I want them to deny Jesus as Peter did in the Bible before Jesus was arrested and crucified on the cross, just so that I could have them here on earth with me longer? It’s a question I’ll be honest I could not answer quickly.
I know in my heart we have a forgiving God, and that God would ultimately forgive them for denying him, just as he forgave Peter, and that would mean my precious child would be back in my arms where I wanted them to be. But if they said Yes they would be gone from this earth forever. Even typing this my heart is in a tug-a-war. No mother, or father wants to think about their child being put in this position. We don’t ever want them to spend their last moments in life, as these students did. We don’t want to even imagine being that mom or dad seeing the breaking news that there has been a shooting at their child’s school. Yet it only seems to be happening more and more. And on October 1st, these families got the news, we all hope and pray we will never receive.
Their kids said “Yes”, and now they are gone.
But they are now living in heaven with the one they loved so much that they died for him, as he died for us all those years ago upon that cross. As much as I would never want my children to go before me, and would do everything possible to protect them from such harm, I would want them to believe so faithfully in their hearts that they could not answer any other way but to say “Yes”, because for me the most important job of being a mom, is to make sure my children have eternal salvation. I want them to live with our heavenly Father for eternity, and to never be afraid to proclaim that yes, they are in deed followers of Christ just as those brave students did so boldly that day as they came face to face with their killer.
Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did- 1 John 2:6.
For they now, will live forever with their creator. The Lord, Jesus Christ.
With Love, Nicole
#iwouldsayyes
Very well written. Love you.
Oh gosh! I live in England now, so the news I’ve passively seen of this has been scarce. I had no idea that the gunman had asked that before he shot them 🙁 That makes my soul hurt.
Great read. 🙂 Thanks for the insight. Found you on the Peony Project.
Here are a few of my thoughts on the issue at large:
I believe in the face of persecution could give us the boldness and strength to stand with Christ, just as he did with Stephen before her was killed for his faith. He tells us in his word that those who preserve till the end will be saved. Jesus is worth dying for and the disciples knew it, that’s why most of them were killed for their faith. In America we have never had to worry about physical persecution until now. I believe it will only continue in a world that hates anyone associated with Christ. It’s crazy that Christ followers are being persecuted even more these days, but it is to be expected. Jesus promises that in this world we will have trouble. The world hates Jesus, so why would the world even remotely love his followers? While we still have breath in our lungs, yes, the Lord forgives. If you deny Christ, it shows that we never knew him. In the face of persecution, the Lord is working and can be used to bring others to Christ. The Holy Spirit lives within a true Christ-follower. If the Holy Spirit is indwelling, you could not deny that you ever knew Christ. (Peter did not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit because it was before the crucifixion) Acts 2. The Holy Spirit’s job is to convict and to lead us. Christ would not lead us away from Christ.
There is nothing greater than going on to be in the presence of the world: not family, fame, friends, money, love, children. All of this is worthless compared to the joy in Christ. That is why Paul said that he would rather die and be with Christ than continue living on the earth, but he knew that for the sake of the kingdom of God that he needed to continue his purpose until the Lord called him home.
We never know why the Lord does what he does, but he is faithful. Isaiah 55:8-9
I pray that the Lord will open my children’s eyes to see the love of Christ, surrender their lives to Christ and live for him. With the holy spirit now indwelling (Acts 2),He will guide them. As a true Christ-follower, he will stand for the Lord. If he denies the Lord, it demonstrates that he never knew the Lord.
Awesome points! Love this! I never have really thought about it that way, but you are so right! Thank you for the insight!
Beautiful post. I love what you said here, “I would want them to believe so faithfully in their hearts that they could not answer any other way but to say ‘Yes'”. My prayers are with the parents who are grieving over their children, who were so brave that day.
Thank you so much Katya!
What a wonderful, well put blog. (and reading the bible to them is a priceless treasure.