On, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, 26-year-old Chris Harper-Mercer opened fire on students and faculty at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon. Nine were killed, while many were injured, and the news has reported that the shooter committed suicide after the massacre. The news has also released that religion played a factor in the killings. Those wounded have explained that Mercer would ask students if they were Christians, and if they replied "Yes," he would reply, "Good, because you're a Christian, you're going to see God in about one second," before shooting.

Mass shootings have unfortunately become all too normal of an occurrence in our society. I've seen this reality as I've grown up, and strangely enough, the first I remember learning about did involve religion. As a third or fourth-grader in school, I remember many in my class were reading "She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall." Written by Cassie's mother, the book told the story of Cassie Bernall's life and last moments as a victim on the infamous Columbine shooting. The title sparks from her last moments, as the two gunman asked if she was a Christian, and Cassie replied, "Yes."

I remember reading this book in elementary school (even though, looking back, it probably wasn't too appropriate for my age), and I remember wondering what I would have said if I were Cassie. Growing up in a family that went to church every Sunday, I thought calling myself a Christian was a no-brainer. However, I specifically recall this book changing that, because the truth was, at the time I probably would have never said "Yes."

Now, here I am reading about another mass shooting, and this little detail of faith triggers my memory. I haven't thought about "She Said Yes" in who knows how long, but now I can see the book on the shelf in my tiny school library. I can see in my head how my fourth-grade-self imagined Cassie's final moments looked like. Where she was hiding. The gunman asking their question. The confidence in her voice as she proclaims her faith.

This mass shooting in Oregon has sparked a Christian movement on social media. Tons of people are proclaiming their faith by using #yesimachristian. Even GOP candidate Ben Carson has shared a photo of himself with the sentence boldly written on a sign he carries. Christians are uniting.

But still, not all are united. Ever since news of the massacre, politicians have been debating gun laws even more than usual. Obama passionately spoke to the American people, exclaiming that this is an issue that should be politicized. Conservatives such as Huckabee are loudly disagreeing. The Second Amendment is the rope in a political tug-of-war.

I do not know for sure what side of this gun issue I stand on. However, I do know something for sure, and it's I know much more than I knew back in fourth grade.

I know for sure that, yes, I am a Christian.

I am proud, and unworthy of this relationship with my Savior I have been given. These shootings, regardless of their motives, are a testament to the injustices in this world, so I must cling to the promise of Jesus. It is only because of this promise that I have hope. God says that His will restore justice with his return, so I urge anyone affected by the Oregon shooting or any other injustice to hold tight to these words. My prayers, thoughts, and love are with you.

Isaiah 51:5 "My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations."