The Mental Problem is a Family Thing

My direction in life was hugely impacted this day 8 years ago. The Columbine shooting was one of those events like 9-11 that changes you. I remember that the initial impact was minimal to me. I hear about the shooting and thought “Oh, that’s terrible.” When I saw the news footage,it began to settle in more. When I saw the funeral ceremonies and the video of students weeping, it only moved me more.

The thing which blew me away was the first story I heard about a girl named Cassie Bernall who had been asked if she believed in God. She said yes and the shooter blew her away. She could have been any girl in my youth group. She had the guts and the commitment to risk her life for her belief. She was, what I desired every student to be like.

The story which sealed it and influenced me to go into full time youth ministry instead of coaching, was the story of Rachel Joy Scott. She too had been asked about her belief in God and was killed instantly. As stories came out about her life, I saw the impact the faith of one student could have on the world. She had her struggles, her battles, but she refused to be average as a Christian. THAT inspired me.

Without a doubt, I owe a lot to those two girls. They inspired me that all students ave the potential to change the world. Age doesn’t matter. I look forward to meeting both of them one day.