Finding Peace in the Midst of Violence

Last weekend I found out that a student from Cornerstone (the school that I work at) was shot and killed.  Ryan (who was 21) was in 8th grade during my first year there, and while I didn't know him as closely as some of the teachers did, this tragic incident impacted me in a way I never would have imagined. 

For awhile I had been wanting to gather students together at the school who had graduated from 8th grade.  Some are still in high school, while others are in college, and some are working.  I had no idea this mini-reunion would turn out to be so successful, with the word spreading so fast amongst students.  I recognized most of the students that came that night, some had grown up so much and their youthful looks were replaced with a look of maturity that reminded me of how many years had passed.  Most of the time was spent talking and catching up.  Students filled out information sheets with everything about themselves, goals, dreams, etc.  We got pictures of most of them and will create files to track the progress of how they are doing in high school and college.  Ryan hadn't filled out too much on his sheet, but he included his interests which included singing, dancing, and sports.  He loved to sing, and I remember him singing at chapel and in the hallways, getting into trouble, goofing around.

10 days later, we heard about Ryan's death.  He was shot in the back 3 or 4 times.  He was hanging out with some friends and got into an argument with someone.  Later on that evening, the person he had got into a confrontation with found him and shot him in the back.  Ryan had attempted to walk away from the person, turning around to run when he saw a gun being pulled.  This incident has devastated so many...not only his friends and family, but those who just had a short time to be involved in his life at Cornerstone.  Cornerstone Christian Academy is a family of students and staff that always will remain connected, as students tend to come back and visit often.  It's unbelievable that one of our own family's life was cut short so tragically.

When I pray, I am encouraged even more to pray for the young people in this city.  That God would keep them safe and away from the violence that is so senseless.  It seems like it doesn't take much for someone to pull a gun on another person anymore.  You look at someone the wrong way, and you could be dead.  There are a lot of angry people that for some reason believe they are entitled to take away another's life.  I have to wonder what kind of sick satisfaction they get from knowing they killed another human being.  I am angry that a 21 year old kid had to die.  I am angry that he had barely had a chance to live his life and realize all his goals and dreams.  I am angry that the suspected shooter hasn't been found yet.

I find peace in thinking about the short time that Ryan was able to be in our lives and the impact he had on others around him.  I find peace in knowing that he's at rest with God, the safest place that one could ever be.