Every 15 Minutes is an intense two-day program designed to caution high school juniors and seniors against the dangers of drinking and driving. The program name was conceived from the statistic that every fifteen minutes someone in the United States dies in an alcohol related traffic accident. This program was initiated at the high school which my children attend last week. It did not only impact the high school students; however, I was really surprised by how it impacted me.
A private meeting was called for 25 high school students and their parents. After arriving and hearing the introductory announcements, the parents were told that our child was chosen to become one of “the living dead.” Our requirements for participation were to send in baby and current pictures, fill out an obituary, write a goodbye letter to your child, and attend the funeral service. Seriously, I glared at my son trying to hold myself together and said, “I don’t think I can do this.” Throughout the entire program, I definitely prayed more about the emotional components than the actual physical participation.
Looking back on the 24 hour period, I can tell you that the most challenging part for me was writing my son’s good bye letter. The paper had printed on the top, “Dear _____________, every 15 minutes someone in the United States dies or is seriously injured in an alcohol-related incident. Today your child died.”
I was restless for quite awhile before I could pick up the pen. I got up to get some coffee and t hen I stood in the back of the room. Finally, I prayed. God did give me the words to write but He also revealed to me many amazing insights. I realized that God is not the God of the dead, but the living (Matthew 22:32). When we are in Christ, we are always alive, even if physically dead. Jesus links heaven to earth. I literally saw a mental picture of Jesus with His arms stretched out, one hand was touching heaven and the other was touching earth. He was the bridge that connected the living on earth to the living in heaven. Death had no relevance or significance because of Jesus. The term “living dead” had a whole new meaning. There is hope for the believer as Jesus’ words from John 5:24-25 came back to mind, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” Jesus fills in the great chasm. He continued to say, “I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” How can the dead “hear?” The answer is “with spiritual ears.” Life on earth is not just about the body but about the Spirit. The Spirit is what lives forever. Our Spirit’s have ears as we have a choice to respond to the call of Jesus.
It’s ironic that in the Garden of Eden, God only asked Adam and Eve to NOT do ONE thing, eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). Eating from this tree brought death. But since Jesus Christ came to earth, God NOW only asks all of us to do ONE thing to give us eternal life. Jesus says in John 3:18, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.” All we have to do is believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It is so simple that a child can understand God’s requirements and can respond to His call.
The program was absolutely great for many reasons. Best of all, the students clearly got the point. We were told that since this program has been initiated in the high schools, the average that someone dies from an alcohol related traffic accident is now “Every 30 Minutes.” Educating our students is necessary as it is physically saving lives. But if we want to face it or not, everyone will physically die some day. So, knowing Jesus is better as He literally came to save lives for eternity.
“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
Tonilee Adamson
Daily Disciples Ministries
Wow. That is powerful. As i read it it gives hope to me that im okay no matter what because Jesus has defeated death and this life here on earth is just the beginning. Thanks. Theresa
Posted by: Theresa Classe | March 17, 2009 at 03:10 AM