From ABC News:
The oldest of the five Amish girls shot dead in a Pennsylvania schoolhouse is said to have stepped forward and asked her killer to “Shoot me first,” in an apparent effort to buy time for her schoolmates.
I don’t know whether her action made a difference in the fate of her classmates, but this was clearly a selfless act on the part of this young lady. My heart grieves for the Amish community, though by all accounts they are taking it very well.
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This is an example of an active but non-violent response to violence. This girl first was (and did) willing to suffer for the sake of others. Secondly, she trusted God for redemption from an injust situation rather than relying on her self to bring an end to the injust situation (realizing that God may in fact allow them to suffer for a greater purpose just as God allowed his Son to suffer for a greater purpose).
Regardless of a person’s views on whether violence is ever a justified response to evil, we have much to learn from the faith of this Amish community — from both the five girls who were murdered in cold blood, the other girls who also were victims of malicous violence, and their entier community who is mourning with faith.
If an adult responsible for the children’s safety had been armed and returned fire, then “violence” might have saved several of their lives. However, that would never happen in a school run by people who place the abstract ideal of non-violence ahead of their children’s safety.
Or maybe this community place the REAL idea of faith and trust in the Victorious God above the sentiment, perhaps idolistic, of safety as being the numero uno value.
Another words, their faith has allowed them to see the REAL vision of God’s eschatological victory and realize that there children were safe the entire time, even in the face of death, because God has spoken and said that in Jesus Christ death is not the last word.
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