Sunday, January 6, 2013 will forever be etched in my memory and my heart. Sunday morning was welcomed with rain, though it was gloomy, I was excited to head to church because it was the first Sunday at our new facility.
My roommate and I decided to carpool that morning and We arrived at approximately 8am. As we were approaching the last stop light, where we would turn into the parking lot, we saw that there had been an accident. My roommate noticed that there was a motorcycle laying about 20 yards from where people were gathered at the intersection.
My heart started racing. As we pulled to the scene, my roommate rolled down her window and a friend from church walked up to us distraught, saying that she saw everything happen and another friend from church was involved in the accident. This was when I saw that everyone was standing over a man, laying stiff on his back.
My first instinct was to tell her to go pray for him and have everyone else pray as well. We drove around them to find a safe place to park. I immediately got out and hurried toward the scene of the accident. I saw that everyone was standing over him, praying. My first thought was, ‘God is bigger than this, He can heal him. I have to pray over him.’ I noticed he was all alone laying on the street with strangers staring at him and all I wanted to do was comfort him.
As soon as I reached him, I noticed blood all over his face. Blood was pouring out his nose and eyes, one eye socket was filled with a puddle of blood. It was evident that he had experienced severe head trauma. I looked at him and felt his fear. I got down and grabbed his hand so I could comfort him. I started to talk to him to keep him alert. He couldn’t move his body but he responded with small nods and blinking. I saw that he had a military badge, so I read his name, Christopher.
I asked Christopher if I could pray for him. He blinked, yes. My heart ached from the look in his eyes, I knew he was scared. I prayed out loud so he could hear me through his helmet. I asked God to be with him, to cover him, to comfort him, to heal him. My voice was shaky as I tried to fight for restraint because I didn’t want Christopher to be scared more than he already was. As soon as I was done praying, a man walked over and said he was a nurse. I let go of Christopher’s hand and let the man take over from there. I told Christopher it was going to be okay.
Church service had to continue as scheduled but I couldn’t stop thinking about Christopher. One of my friends from church who witnessed the entire accident said that a police officer stated that he didn’t think Christopher was going to make it. I thought, he has to, I was just talking to him and he responded to me. He’ll be fine, he has to be.
My friend said that when they first got out of the car, Christopher was unconscious and wasn’t breathing but as soon as they started praying, they noticed his diaphragm contracting. I don’t think they all knew at the time that when I was talking to him, he was responding to me.
I woke up the next morning for work and received a text that Christopher died at 3am. He is survived by his mother, father and 14 year old sister. I wept. Their lives would change forever. Christopher would never get married or have children. I only hope that he accepted Jesus into his heart, I prayed that his sins would be forgiven.
Before I could even ask God why, I was reminded of His sovereignty and peace swept over me. I’m thankful that I was able to comfort and pray for him the last moments of his life. I only hope that he reconciled with God before he passed. I hope to meet Christopher in heaven one day.
This reminded me of the significance of the gospel and leading people to Christ so they can obtain salvation. I am encouraged to take advantage of every opportunity to lead people to Jesus, even in their very last moments. I thank Christopher for setting my evangelistic spirit on fire.
Already There by Casting Crowns
