VIRB

Sunday morning Prescott, Arizona was hit with a bomb........

A beloved friend, classmate, teammate, and brother in Christ went to be home with the Lord. For me it has been a roller coaster ride for the last few days. But in all of it I know that God is doing something good.

It all started for me as I was walking onto the patio of our church and a greeter asked me if I was aware of what happened to "the Leyva boy". Of course I was one cup of coffee from being totally awake, and was a little leery of why he was asking me this question. I have had to deal with questions like this in the past, and for me they are always a set up for something bad. Personally I don't like beating around the bush, so I replied with a simple "no". He then proceeded to tell me that "Christian" had passed away in a car accident the day before. I was taken back to say the least. To be completely honest with you I felt as if I was struck with a blunt object in the chest.

You see I was his Junior High Youth Pastor, and had spent much time enjoying his presence. I had spent much time with him in one of my headlocks. I as able to experience his cheerful personality. I had the rare opportunity as a Youth Pastor to see deep inside Christian's heart when God was doing a sweet work in a time of worship and prayer. So this was surreal to say the least. I know that I must have seemed cold, and uninterested by my lack of expression and emotion, but I was just trying to process this information.

I then sat in service half listening to the message, half thinking to myself "this can't be". Unfortunately it was, and on top of it all I knew that there would be a group of High School students hurt and distraught given the fact that this was one of their friends. The Holy Spirit told me to scrap my message that was already prepared and talk about this incident, and the love that we need to show his family. All the while I was fighting back tears on the inside (but I had to be strong). It ended up being a real sweet time for our youth group, and even though no family members were there, we were able to extend our love in prayer.

Since that day I have had the brutal reminder everyday, given the fact that the accident happened a half mile from my home, that this is reality. Skid marks, smashed guard rail, and flowers do not lie. I have gone to the High School where it seemed like everyone was wearing pink in memory of "Curly" or Christian Leyva. I have spent time with a mother who can never have her son back, and I have repeated the true cliché "he doesn't have to deal with pain anymore", more than a handful of times to console a hurting heart.

But like I said earlier.....God is going to do something good. In fact He already has. He has brought together a typically unorganized bunch of High School students to raise thousands of dollars for Christian's family. He has allowed two young Pastors (Jonah, and I) to pray for and encourage many students who don't know Jesus. Most importantly though He has shown Christians mom that His sovereign hand is in this, and despite how the world may view this, her faith has increased in her heavenly Father. God is good.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28