by Brian Knowles
When the "killer narcissists" of Littleton, Colorado used more than 30 bombs and an assortment of guns to blow away their victims, they did so in the spirit of Adolph Hitler, one of this century’s most notorious monsters. They were "celebrating" his birthday. In honoring Hitler, they dishonored God, and thirteen people created in His image. One in particular comes to mind – 17-year old Cassie Bernall.
As gunfire and explosions rocked the corridors and classrooms of Columbine High, young Cassie began to pray. One of the vicious young monsters directed his shotgun at her and asked her if she believed in God. She said she did. So he shot her to death.
Earlier in her life, Cassie had wrestled with many of the issues of teenage. She’d been concerned about her weight, and with being popular. At one point, she’d even gotten in with a bad crowd and dabbled in witchcraft.
Her parents then moved her to a different school, and sent her to an Evangelical Presbyterian congregation, where she joined a youth group and came under the influence of youth pastor Dave McPherson. About two years ago at a retreat, Cassie was converted to Jesus Christ. Said McPherson of Cassie, "She dug in, and spiritually, she started reading her Bible and she started praying." Her conversion was no flash in the pan -- it was genuine. She was unafraid to carry a Bible at school, and she wore a bracelet that read, "What Would Jesus Do?"
Cassie was one of 12 students and a teacher who died in the Columbine massacre. She did what Jesus would have done – gave her life for her belief in God. At her funeral, the Bernalls issued a statement about Cassie: "Her life was rightly centered around our Lord Jesus. It was for her strong faith in God and His promise of eternal life that she made her stand."
Cassie was not a Sabbatarian, but she was a true Christian. When the voices of the Lord’s martyrs figuratively cry out, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (Revelation 6:10), her voice will be among them.
In his vision, the apostle John heard the Lord’s answer, "…wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed" (Revelation 6:11).
Cassie Bernall will not be the last martyr for the Lord. There will be others. You and I may be called to be among their number. If that happens, in the moment that it does, all doctrinal arguments will turn to vapor and dissipate. The only thing that will then matter will be if we have the faith and courage of a Cassie Bernall, who at age 17, after only two years as a Christian, refused to deny the Lord that bought her. It’s something to think – and pray – about.