The Terrible Tenth Anniversary

The word has become associated with horror, fear, suffering, and death. The word is simply Columbine.

On April 20th, 1999, the quiet community of Littleton, Colorado, was interrupted by gunfire. When the smoke settled, a high school campus became the intense scene of one of the most brutal crimes in America’s history. This past Sunday, hundreds attended a sunset candlelight vigil to honor the 13 victims of the Columbine High School massacre, on the eve of its 10th anniversary. The high school will be closed on Monday as a reminder of that fateful April morning when the entire country was ruthlessly taught that no one is truly safe anywhere.

It is unfortunate that it takes a “Columbine” to awaken so many to the fact that life is fragile and that death is certain - eventually. It is also unfortunate that those who do see that through some eye-opening experience like a “Columbine” tend to quickly forget the hard lesson it yields. And it is extremely unfortunate that so many fail, at that time, to enact the spiritual preparation to face with confidence any event that might usher them into eternity.

In Proverbs, the wisdom book of the Old Testament, the writer shares his simple but wise principle about ignoring the potential problems that can arise at any given moment in life. In chapter 27 and verse one he states, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

Then in the New Testament counterpart to Proverbs, James expands on the concept of assuming that a long life is a given and about planning apart from God’s instruction and input. Verse 13 begins, “Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”(James 4:13-16)

This year, the Sunday night vigil for the Columbine tragedy victims came exactly one week after Easter. And for those who lost loved ones there, but who fully grasped and accepted and the meaning of Christ’s death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection, a special hope remains even after these ten long years. The reason is simple but highly profound and is summed up in 1 Corinthians 15:53- 57. “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O Death, where is your sting ? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Yes, the word ‘Columbine’ has become associated with horror, fear, suffering, and death. But the word ‘Christ‘ should conjure up terms like peace, victory and hope, and life. And for that to be true requires only the correct view and response to the greatest event and offer in all of human history!

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Despite what many may think, there is a real place of ultimate safety and eternal security!

Bill Breckenridge