“She was shot in the head for standing up for Jesus,” reported eyewitnesses to Cassie Bernall’s execution.
Cassie was seventeen when she was murdered in the Columbine School massacre. Her teenage killers put a gun to her head and asked if she believed in God. She knew full well if she answered yes she would die. She said yes anyway.
She Said Yes became the title of a book about Cassie’s stand for Jesus that has inspired teenagers and adults around the world.
Thank God, most of us will never have to face what Cassie did. But we all face difficult decisions. And God is still looking for people in every day situations who will stand up for Him when hard times come and be an inspiration for others.
If you are going through some challenge right now, I encourage you to look to Cassie’s example. She did the hard thing but the right thing when she could have remained silent. And better yet, look to the example of Jesus, who remained faithful even in the face of death on the cross.
In almost every situation, it’s painful and costly to stand firm for God’s way and will. But as soldiers of the cross, our Heaven Father is counting on us to do what one of my favorite hymns calls us to do.
“Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus,” by George Duffield, touches my heart every time I sing it. I hope you will enjoy reading it or singing it. And then, let’s do it.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.