Held at Gunpoint

She was bawling her eyes out in the driver’s seat, passenger window down.

Pure anguish on her face. 

In the back seat were two men.

Something just didn’t seem right about it.

We planned to turn into the gas station. Praise God they happen to also turn into the station.

One of the girls from my squad went inside for a soda. One of the men from the backseat of that car also went inside at the same time. The rest of us sat in the van praying, staring into the gas station as we watched her and the guy enter a conversation. 

A few minutes pass by. 

Our squadmate comes out as the guy yells something out in the parking lot before getting back in the car. He had been antagonizing and objectifying her when he got in line behind her at the counter. Saying vulgar, nasty and threatening things. 

As soon as they drove away, my squadmate trembled as she dialed 911 to report the license plate and give a description of the man. 

We prayed for the safety of the crying woman from the front seat. We sat in tension and silence as we finished our drive home, waiting for a call back from the officers. 

Not even 20 minutes later the officer called back.

The men had felonies.

They were holding her at gun point and trying to flee the state.

He probably planned to rape her. (He had purchased condoms at the station).

They had caught them. 

We were all shaken up from the experience. I had to go for a run to clear my mind and spend some time with the Lord. 

All I could think about was that girl.

She looked around our age; a young adult. That could have been me held captive at gun point. I wonder if she had been crying out to God for someone to save her. I wonder if she knew the Lord was the one to answer her prayers. I wonder about the trauma she now has from that incident.

Will it forever change her?

Will she ever heal from this experience?

Does she know Jesus and trust Him to bring her through this?

I broke down.

Minutes must have felt like hours to her.

What if other drivers noticed as well, but just chose to mind their own business? Why are us Americans so UNinterruptible? 

Is it because we’re afraid it will be all for nothing? What if everything was fine and it was just a waste of time?

But what if it could save a life?

Would it be worth looking like a fool and wasting a few minutes?

America please wake up!

Please be BOLD. Please take the time to address someone if something seems off or doesn’t seem right. The enemy would love for you to think that it’s none of your business or that some one else will call it in or that it’s best if you don’t assume anything.

But what if we actually, tangibly loved our neighbor as ourself? What if we went out of our way to love and care for others?

THIS is reality people!

That situation was real and that girl isn’t just some fictional character in a story. I’m not looking for praises here. I’m writing this because we need to wake up and open our eyes to the brokenness of our own country. We need to stand up for what’s right and be an advocate for those in need. The things that will push you away from that boldness is comfort, convenience and apathy. 

My prayer is this story will open your eyes to those around you and push you to serve strangers selflessly, even when you’re unsure of the outcome or if it’s worth it. Every life is worth it.