written on Friday, April 30, 1999

The recent school shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, seems to be talked about everywhere.  Even if you try not to hear about things like that, you're bound to hear it somewhere.  In fact, it's been played up so much, that it may lead to another (which I'm praying against, as I hope you are).  The graphic details are discussed and horror and grief is expressed even from those not at all directly effected by the violence.  When details of how and why people were killed are discussed, others grieve not only for the family members, but for the victims who "never had a chance" to grow up or live a "full life".  They paint villains and victims in a story of life and death and I'm forced to ask, what are we living for?

People have always sought the meaning of life, why we're here.  People want to know what they are living fore or else they loose the will to live.  The problem is that too many people live simply to live, having no real meaning to their lives.  They live, they die, never knowing why.  They go to school to learn so that they can spend the rest of their lives working.  They work so that they can afford to eat and stay alive so that they can work some more.  In between are a few fleeting moments of "instant gratification".  With a life like this, it's no wonder so many people way "What's the point?".

On what could have been any ordinary school day, heroes and martyrs were made.  William Sanders (Dave), a teacher and coach at the high school, had a chance to save lives by getting students down and out of danger, thus sacrificing his own life.  Some people live their entire lives for themselves, living simply to be alive.  Others live their lives for God because they know there are no guaranties that tomorrow will ever come, only that if we believe in Jesus, we will have everlasting life.  Some people would rather live a long life on earth, no matter what they do with that life, than to live a short life and do something with it.  What's the value of life if it has no meaning?

Cassie Bernall, a student, was asked if she believed in God.  She answered yes and she was killed.  She could have denied her faith and lived, but God was more important to her than simply being alive.  What are we living for?  Ourselves?  A few moments that don't last?  Really, what's the point of that?  In the end, we all die.  We all face eternity with a choice and a chance.  What will you say?  "I lived for myself and it was fun for a little while."?  Or "I lived for You.  It's good to be home."?