In this week's article, I wanted to reach out to the families of the four University of Georgia girls who were tragically killed in a car crash Wednesday night near campus in Athens. I am saddened and heartbroken to hear of the tragic loss of four students and critical injuries to another student in this devastating accident. The students who were killed were Kayla Canedo, 19, of Alpharetta; Brittany Feldman, 20, of Alpharetta; Christina Semeria, 19, of Milton; and Halle Scott, 19, of Dunwoody. The driver of the four girls was also a fellow student of UGA, Agnes Kim, 21, of Snellville, GA. Authorities said three of the students passed away at the scene and two others, including Kim, were rushed to the hospital, where one of the students later passed away. Kim was critically injured and remains at the hospital. The driver of the other car, Abby Short, 27, of Demorest, GA, was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and has since been released.
I do not know these girls personally, but I wanted to send my deepest most sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and to their friends. After hearing about this tragedy, I could not just sit back and say nothing. I felt called to write this article. I wanted to let their families and friends know that they are in my prayers and thoughts. My heart ached for the victims and the victims' families and friends. I have often asked God WHY is it that people suffer? WHY is it that people die so young? WHY is it that people leave this world with their entire life ahead of them? WHY did this have to happen to them? WHY do tragic and devastating events like this have to happen to anyone at all?
To the families and friends of those people who have lost their lives far too young,
Please know that people are praying for you, sending you their love, and are sending you their greatest and deepest condolences. Know that God is with you. You are NOT alone. He is listening and He will hold you in the palms of His hands. He will wipe your tears. Rely on Him. May you pray to Him and may you love him and feel His love in return.
It always feels unfair when we see someone so young with their whole life ahead of them pass away, we feel that there must be a reason for it. But the truth is, that none of us are guaranteed a long life. Death is the common denominator and will affect all of us, sooner or later. On a planet of time and space, people are subject to accidents and sickness, and sometimes people suffer from the actions of others. Whatever the reason may be, it is not necessarily God's will that people die prematurely. We must keep in mind that Jesus was very young when he died, and his death was brought about--not because God wanted Him to die in such ways-- but as a consequence of others' actions. God could have intervened, but He did not. We have to TRUST that there is a greater good that is served by letting life (and death) unfold in very human ways.
Our lives here on this Earth are VERY short, but whether they are long, or only months long, our destiny remains the same. God knows and loves each individual, and every individual will have the same opportunity to progress in the Father's kingdom on high, in heaven. We may feel a devastating sense of loss over the death of anyone, especially a young person, but it should be reassuring and comforting to know that our loved ones are safe, still cared for, and still a beloved son or daughter of the one true King. We must keep in mind that this is only our first life and if we believe, we have an everlasting life ahead of us in which we will be rejoined with our loved ones when it is our time.
When looking far and wide through scripture hoping to find an answer, I found this verse.
"The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death." Isaiah 57: 1-2
It amazed me. It helped me to put things into perspective. It helped me to understand better why tragic things happen..and left me with a possible answer.
How often do we see fellow Christians who die of cancer or are killed in a car accident or are taken from us before they reach old age? I know many people who struggle with God's grace and love when someone they care about dies horrifically. In their grief, they blame God. After all, this person was a God-fearing person, someone who loved God and was an avid follower of Jesus. They praised Him every day and was a true disciple. So how could God let this happen to them?
You see, we have such a limited understanding of what is truly going on in this world and what exists beyond our limited dimensions here on Earth. This verse gives one possible answer as to why God allows a Godly person to die young. He or she is taken away from some future evil or calamity that would have happened to them in the future. In essence God is rescuing them from disaster. I can vaguely remember a verse that says something similar to this but goes further in saying that the person would have walked away from God if He had allowed them to live. In other words, in His divine wisdom, God saw that He would lose this person for all eternity, and rather than allow that to happen, He took them home early. And though that causes us so much pain and maybe even anger, we have to understand that GOD'S plans are not our plans.
When we say that someone “died before their time,” we falsely assume that everyone has the unwritten promise of a long life. The Bible makes no such guarantees. The Bible says that our times are in His hands. It also tells us that “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens: there is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). We do not get a say regarding the date of our birth or death. There is a time for everything in life. Whether we think it is is OUR time, we must stop and remember that life happens in HIS timing...not ours.
Then again, we have a lot to say about the space left in the middle: “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). To “number our days” means to make the most of our time. To gain a heart of wisdom means to gain a heart that loves Him above all.
So when we hear about tragic events and/or witness them and think WHY me? We must keep in mind that it is in God's plans. He will not deceive us, nor dismay us. When our time on this Earth has come, we can be at peace knowing that we no longer have to suffer, we no longer have to experience pain or sorrow, and we no longer have to ask WHY.
In reality, sometimes people just die. It’s not because they weren’t worthy of living. All lives are worthy of living. It’s not because God is angry or punishing you.
Sometimes the body gives out. Sometimes the body develops disease. Sometimes a decision made by one person can cause another person’s life to be lost.
Your soul came to this Earth to experience, learn, and be in a place of joy. But our souls are housed in fragile shells that we happen to call bodies. Our bodies are subject to the hardships of life. Disease, illness, or injury can make the body incapable of housing that soul any longer. When that happens, the soul releases the body and goes to the other side.
Sometimes the soul is not ready to go. Sometimes that soul was really enjoying his life. But without the body, the soul cannot stay embodied.
There does come a time at the end of a naturally long life when the soul can decide to exit a body even before the body has given out. That is an option. But it’s not God making that decision.
We must care for our bodies and our lives if we wish to live a long time. Likewise, if we lived in a society where people didn’t hurt others, that would allow us to live longer. But free will can remove someone from their body long before they wished it to go.
Don’t be angry with God. It’s not about justice or anger or punishment. Sometimes death just happens, even to the young, even to the good, even to those who don’t “deserve” to die.
Cherish every day because you never know when it will be your last. Thank God everyday for allowing you to see another day. Treasure those you love because they may not be here tomorrow. Tell them you love them, and by your words and actions show them. Life is a beautiful, thing that no one should ever take for granted. In the end, how you lived your life is more important than how long you lived it.
As these girls time has come, may they forever be remembered for their everlasting impact that they have had on this Earth. May they rest in peace.
