It all starts with that unexpected phone call.... something tragic has happened. One of our loved ones has been in an accident and was rushed to the hospital in grave condition. Within a day or so, the loved one is dead.
The video below was filmed days before this tragic accident. Andy Davis has died leaving behind a wife and grown children. He was only 53. The young man who was responsible for this senseless death will have to live with the fact that he took someone's life, took someone's husband, took someone's father, took someone's son. He will always have that innocent blood on his hands.
Andy seemed to be at the pinnacle of his career. So many people had put their faith in him to complete a sculpture memorial of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was just getting started and experimenting with ideas because he wanted this memorial sculpture to come alive and be everything that the civil rights leader and movement represented. He was pouring his heart into it. Andy was so engulfed with his project that he decided to work late at the studio. After leaving the studio on his motorcycle late Friday night, Andy was struck by an underage drunk driver, who also left the scene of the accident but was later found and identified..
How does one start to process this tragedy? Shock and disbelief are very tall hurdles. And those very people in shock and disbelief have to make so many decisions within a short period of time, typically in just a few short days..But the worst part is that we don't even get to say good-bye. We have to hold on to those last few words we said to each other, and cherish our last embrace.
Tragic deaths help me to re-evaluate my own life. This cliche comes to mind: "You don't know how much more time you have here on earth, so make the best of it." Am I aligned with what's really important or am I just meandering through life aimlessly? And it never fails that I come to the conclusion that I have strayed from the path that God wants me to lead.
We offer all our love and support to Andy's immediate family. We have prayed for God's comfort on them like only He can. We also prayed for the young man who was responsible for this avoidable death. We must forgive him as Jesus commanded us.
So is it possible that something good can come of this tragedy? Absolutely. Something so wonderful was accomplished at the death of Christ. While Andy's death can't possibly compare, we are reassured that Andy is with the Lord. What a peace that brings! In addition, we are afforded an opportunity for forgiveness. The young man responsible may not be a Christian. He needs a Savior now more than ever. We have an opportunity to reach people with the Gospel that we might not have been able to reach before. And to our family members who haven't thought much about the afterlife, they will be more open to discussing these matters.
It would be such a beautiful thing if even one person becomes a child of God through this tragedy. Sometimes it takes a tragedy for people to realize that "life and death" in this life and "heaven and hell" in the next life are real, and that this is not a game.
"...Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly."
Luke 22:60-62 (NKJV)
Peter denied his Lord and Savior and wept bitterly. He realized how inadequate he
was.. He was
destitute and wept that he was such a failure. From those tears came a
man ready to be led by Christ and dependent on Him only. That is a beautiful thing.
What's your rooster? If you haven't knelt at the foot of the cross to repent of all your sin what are you waiting for? Jesus loves us so much and desperately wants a relationship with each and every one of us. Surrender your life to Christ today and allow the Holy Spirit to be born and live in you. Tragedy can strike at any time. Don't delay as you may not have another chance. Andy's story should be a testament and wake up call. Dying without Christ's robe of righteousness is a terrible thing. Accept that free gift of eternal life today.
Andy, we love you and will miss you. We are so happy you are with the Lord and look forward to the day we can see your smiling face in our glorious state with our Lord Jesus, the rest of the Saints, and all the angels and other celestial beings.
