Hey, I know, not the most thrilling title, right? But it is something to consider, as it is a reality…even the young pass away. Thanks be to Jesus for making a way of taking the sting out of death in that if we receive His Spirit and live in obedience to Him, then dying will simply be a transition into eternal life with Him instead of suffering eternal torment and separation from God. Whew! Now let’s dive into this story, centred on a death that brought forth life. How? Keep reading…
Julian closed his eyes and turned up the volume on his iPhone to the maximum, allowing the sounds to drown his thoughts. For a while he did not want to think about anything, as this would somehow ease the pain, at least temporarily, he thought. Lilly, his four-year-old sister, sat in front of her dollhouse, periodically turning around to look at the empty doorway, as if she expected Mark to appear in their usual game of peek-a-boo. His mom, Margo, closed the door to the washroom and buried her face in a towel in attempts to muffle the sounds of her cries. She then took up Mark’s shirt and held it close to her chest as she crumbled to the floor in tears. “Why, God?” She muttered between sobs. Mr. Johnson leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, simply numb. It was just a week ago that his son Mark had lost consciousness and collapsed on the football field.
Julian recalled the last time he heard his name bellowed over the intercom. His friends teased, “Again, Julian? Aren’t you tired of detentions?” However, as he walked to the principal’s office, he sensed it was far more serious. He observed the flashing lights of an ambulance, rocketing away as the football coach ushered him into a waiting car. At multiple points he tried to ask what was going on, as he somehow could not understand all that was being said. When he met his parents at the hospital, he knew something was very wrong.
They waited hours for Mark’s emergency surgery to be completed. His father tried to explain what had happened, though he did not have much information himself. The Johnson family sat quietly, waiting on the doctor’s update. The doctors took his parents into an office to talk with them for a long time, and when they emerged, his father looked weary and scared, as opposed to his usual confident and assertive self. As they continued talking, Julian heard his name, and they all turned to look at him. His father beckoned to him, but as he approached, the doctor uttered softly, “It can only be for a very short while,” and then he walked away.
Julian did not know what to expect. Mark had bandages over most of his head and face, several tubes connected him to different machines, and he appeared to be sleeping. “Is he going to be alright, Dad?” Julian asked as he stared despondently. “We are praying he will be son.” Julian continued staring at his brother until he felt tears rolling down his cheeks; one even landed on a part of Mark’s exposed face.
They drove home in silence, trying to understand what had just happened.
Lilly was fast asleep by the time they got in, so Julian was able to sit undisturbed on the back verandah, his mind replaying the previous evening when he and Mark had played a game of basketball while Daddy watched. He jolted as his mother’s footsteps broke through his reflections; she halted, hesitant and unsure how to comfort him. Daddy, however, just came and sat next to him. He too was reminiscing about the wonderful time they all had had…yesterday.
…Several weeks passed, leaving the entire family disoriented and confused. One evening, Julian sat for a long time watching the sea, observing the sunset. Its colours were a blaze of orange and red, mirroring the raging emotions within him. He just could not understand all that had transpired, including how he felt up to that point. However, as he observed the waves crashing relentlessly against the rocks, he could somehow begin making sense of some of his emotions – frustration and anger at a God he resented and had not spoken to in years. Warm tears streamed down his face and as he angrily wiped them away, his thoughts drifted to the past.
It was exactly three year ago. He heard Samantha crying as he eavesdropped on his brother’s conversation with his girlfriend. Mark was using his favourite lines, “It’s not you, baby, it’s me” and “you deserve so much better.” He was smooth. Poor Samantha was left hurt, dazed, and confused. Julian looked up to Mark—a young man who knew how to play the field. Being only two years younger, he always wanted to hang out with Mark as he was “the man”, the master player. The girls knew his reputation—however unpleasant—yet they chased him, hoping to be the one to finally ‘tame’ him; only to be played like the others…until…he met…Jordanna.
Jordanna was the Passion and Purity Club’s cell group leader at school and everyone knew she was all about purity. It was not that Mark saw her as another conquest. He liked her, but could not figure out why. They were in the same leadership training program at school. She was confident, intelligent, and yes, cute. He was drawn to her but he knew she was not interested in dating (it simply was not her priority). Nevertheless, they hung out as friends and that was good enough for him (considering he had his hands full anyway).
She often invited him to Inter-School Christian Fellowship (ISCF) meetings, but Mark thought he had no time for this group, as he was too busy juggling school, extra-curricular activities, and selecting his next conquest. Despite his busyness, Jordanna would not give up and so continued talking to him and inviting him. Finally, on a very rainy day, when he had nothing else to do, he obliged her…
We pause for intermission here. If this read hits home for you in any way, then this was certainly for you. Believe that God is a comforter and indeed works all things together for good for His children, even when we do not see the results immediately. Hold on to faith in God and you will experience His goodness and unfailing love. In the will of the Lord, see you next week for part 2.
Claudette Williams is a member of Passion and Purity, a school-based Christian ministry in Jamaica.