Hometown Tragedy

Proverbs 3:5 (New International Version)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding.

Last night, a young man from my high school campus was shot and killed. A tragedy in and of itself, to be sure. As more details and facts (and a lot of rumors and assumptions) were made available, the tragedy turned into a nightmare from which many will not recover quickly,

Markee Johnson was a senior, just days from his 18th birthday. He was a football player, a two-year member of the Student Council, popular by most rights, and did well in most of his classes. His discipline record only showed minor infractions, and there were scant few of them. He was active in his church and Sunday school class. He had many friends, he had a job, and he worked hard. By all accounts, Markee was a good kid with a future ahead of him. Why on Earth then, at 10:20 last night, was he pointing a gun in a man's face, asking for his money? Why on Earth then, at 10:20 last night, was he with three other young men, all of questionable character and intent, planning (by other people's accounts) to commit robbery or burglary? Why on Earth then, at 10:20 last night, was Markee lying in a pool of blood at the city park, shot in the head by the man he tried to rob? Why on Earth then, after 10:20 last night, was a mother planning to bury her son?

This is a young man who had everything going for him. By what the students were saying today, he was changing over the last few weeks. He moved out of his mother's home and into his father's apartment. He started running around with a bad crowd. Many friends say that he was told not to hang out with those boys. He made choices that not only ruined his life, but many others as well. There were many, many hurting kids and teachers at school today. What sadness and pain. All of it senseless and completely preventable.

The man whom these boys tried to rob was completely within his rights to fire upon this group. He had a concealed weapon permit, and had his gun with him as he walked his dog through the park. I am sure he feels badly for the death of this young man, but he was defending his life. With a gun pointed at me, I can't say I wouldn't have made the same decision myself.

Please do not let Markee's death be in vain. Remember that every choice you make impacts others. Remember that one bad decision can cost you a lot...even your very life. Remember that parents should never have to bury their children. Remember that as senseless as this tragedy is, that God has a plan for each of us. Perhaps his plan for Markee's life was to use his death to teach us all the lesson of making good and responsible choices. Talk to your kids about it. Remind them of the impact they can have on the world, both good and bad...and that their choices determine their destinies.