The Legacy of Rachel Scott

Rachel Joy Scott.

It was a beautiful, sunny day in Columbine, Colorado. Just outside of Columbine High School two teenaged boys, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, walked up to a young woman named Rachel Scott and young man named Richard eating lunch together. Suddenly both boys drew guns and opened fire. Richard became paralyzed as a result of the bullets. Rachel was shot three times by Eric. As Rachel attempted to crawl away and the young man lay on the ground, the boys walked away toward the school but then turned back to Rachel. Eric held her head up by her hair and asked the simple question which, depending on her answer would be the difference between her life and death, “Do you believe in God?” She answered, “You know I do.” And with that Eric responded, “Then go be with Him.” He then ended her life with a final bullet. The killers then went on to murder eleven other students and a teacher but also injured many more students before taking their own lives. Rachel's brother, Craig, narrowly escaped death himself in the school library where most of the shooting went on. On today's date, April 20th, it has been 16 years since the tragedy in 1999.

Fishing!

Rachel Joy Scott was a devoted Christian even to her last breath at age 17. She wrote in her many journals about starting a “chain-reaction” for Christ by acts of kindness. She also wrote about her struggles and temptations. Even though she wasn't a “super-Christian” she desired to serve God even at the expense of friends. She paid attention to the whispers of the Holy Spirit and blessed many people. Rachel reached out to those at her school who were outcasts, bullied, and physically or mentally challenged. She even reached out to Eric and Dylan. In doing so, she was fulfilling her desire to “walk the talk.” She was determined not to be like many who claim to be Christians but then live no different from the rest of the world. She also had a goal to not be labeled average as she wrote on the back cover of the diary that she had in her backpack the day she was murdered.

There are several places where you can find out more about Rachel Scott. First of all there are at least three books written by her father and others that discuss her life and legacy: Rachel's Tears, (Picture of cover to the right) Rachel Smiles, and Chain Reaction. Rachel's Tears is the only one I've read and it has changed me. Now I've decided that I won't be labeled average—I will change lives by listening to God's voice and remaining faithful to Him. Also there is a website set up by her family that contains pictures of her as well as a bit about her. Link: www.racheljoyscott.com.  

Then there is the Rachel's Challenge page that talks about the challenge that Rachel left for us: reach out to those around you with Christ's love and thus change the world one step at a time.

Rachel had always felt that she would change the world. You might say, “Well, she was wrong for now she is dead.” But no, in her death she is changing the world. According to the statistics on the website “Rachel's Challenge,” through the messages that they have preached about Rachel they have prevented about 500 suicides in the last three years.

I am encouraging you to read Rachel's Tears and ask God how it should affect you. Check out this challenge that Rachel left us. Continue her mission to change yourself and in doing so, to change the world one step at a time by following God and letting Him work through you. I hope that you enjoyed reading this and that your life will be changed. God bless you!