Part II: The Fallen
It is appointed unto every man once to die, but after that the judgment. – Hebrews 9:27
The Inevitable Appointment
My heart raced erratically. Knees buckled. Anguish flooded my body. His death created discord within me. I am generally composed when encountering unwelcomed news, but this time turbulence found me on the afternoon of May 8, 2023. Unnerved. I was dumbfounded as to why my former high school student Carl, 30, had been shot and killed. The strikingly handsome, athletic youngster I knew had morphed into a robust man. At first encounter, his infamously thick black hair and timid smile greeted me. He was kind and respectable. But it was his ability to see me that resonated mostly. With eyes capable of piercing the soul, it rattled me that we were now left in this world without his.
Carl is but one of many students lost to gun violence during my twenty-nine years as a public educator. Yet his death struck me profoundly. Pondering life, I reflected on my significance in the lives of those entrusted to my care. Then I began assessing how I show up in the world. Ask any educator of their ultimate desire for their students and invariably the answer rests on helping them realize their full potential - being globally conscious and responsible citizens who effectively impact the world for better. For decades, I have committed to this goal. But after Carl’s death I began to wonder, is this enough?
Like many of my colleagues, we extend ourselves tirelessly to ensure that our students are well equipped for this life. And sometimes we are blessed to witness the fruit of our labor. As with Carl, who was doing all the right things - an eight year veteran of the fire department and a devoted father to two sons. So when his young life ended tragically, my soul grieved for his. With death being the gateway to everlasting existence, I wondered which eternal destination awaited him.
Death is not the worst thing that can happen to you. It’s where you are going that can be. - Unknown
As a follower of Jesus Christ I have a responsibility to spread the Good News (Matthew 28:19-20). To inform others of the hope I have in The Lord (John 3:16). Which is the gift of salvation free to all, who by faith believe Jesus to be the Son of God. The Savior who bore the sins of the world to atone for our iniquities with His death on The Cross. Then rising three days later with all power. I shudder to think Carl may have failed to know of this hope I have. But when we work in environments that make allowance of everything but the mention of Jesus Christ, what are we to do?
But God thought of this too! He says, show up in love. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35). Often [His] love means going against the grain. Living life contrary to the world’s way. Living in Truth. So when others use their words to destroy, we speak life. Where some withhold mercy, we are merciful, offering grace when undeserved. But it is not always easy to demonstrate the love of Jesus. The Holy Spirit must reveal areas within us that are contrary to His Word and awaken us to Truth, thereby enabling us to mirror the life of Jesus to others.
Now with Carl’s death causing deep consternation, I contemplated reengaging with the sorority I had stopped actively participating in for better than a decade, despite remaining in good financial standing. By aligning with the enormous membership of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Incorporated, I believed they could help spread The Gospel of Jesus Christ to the masses. But unlike before when I made moves without seeking The Lord, I prayed about this first. Asking The Father to reveal my shortcomings and remove anything or anyone failing to align with His Will.
Be careful what you ask God for. You just might get it. What He revealed was pretty unsettling. It left me clutching my pearls.
For the believer there is hope beyond the grave; because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection. - Billy Graham
