|
Ever since the Bonfire collapse first occurred at Texas A&M in College Station, everyone, myself included, began to pray and mourn the "fallen Aggies." Let's just think about that for a minute, though. How fallen are they really? Upon reading The Texas Aggie, a publication for Alumni, I found bios for each Aggie who unfortunately died because of the collapse. Six of the twelve spoke of how involved these youth were with God. Personally, I find that highly encouraging. If these students truly were saved and believed in God's grace and Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour as well as believing it in their hearts and confessing it with their mouths, then they really aren't fallen. They're risen. .. flying. Imagine. . . Aggies in heaven! I know that's not such an amazing thing, in fact, I'm sure there are many Aggies in heaven. What I'm really trying to say, I guess, is the fact that we should be rejoicing that these young adults have been allowed to join our Heavenly Lord so much sooner than the rest of us. I'll admit that there have been many times in which I wished the Lord would take me back. but for it to actually happen? So, these once fallen Aggies have become the flying Aggies. They soar above the clouds themselves praising the name of God and are a lot happier up there dancing at the throne of our Lord than they could ever have been down here. To be that close to the Lord. . . it will just take your breath away thinking about it. So, I thank the Lord that these Aggies have taken advantage of their time on earth to spread the news of His love and grace and are now rewarded for their diligence. May it remind us, however, that our time on this earth is short -very short, indeed- and so it must not be wasted! Let's quickly go forth and love one another, and encourage each other. Let us not be afraid to stand for Christ, and let us forever profess the wonerful mightiness of our Lord and God! May His name be praised forever!
|
I've heard and read a lot of discussion about this one: Should the tradition of Bonfire continue next year? This writer's humble opinion? Let it burn. These kids now need this deep and gratifying tradition more than ever. Sure, I know that we really need to learn to be flexible, especially in the perilous times in which we now live, but, unless a direct order from God comes, this tradition, so deep set and meaningful, should be allowed to live as well. Especially after such horrible tidings as have been granted to us, oh, so recently! I have not heard of an Aggie or graduated Aggie yet who did not think Bonfire should continue. I'm sure, though not a shock, such a suggestion is met with great groanings. To stop an outward expression of Aggie spirit? Never! So often this spirit is poured out. Indeed, even out on the football field where so often you see players who, though not rude or oerly discourteous, do not go that little bit further. I have yet to see an Aggie game where an Aggie did not hand the ball to a ref or help a player from the opposing team up. How can you not see the Aggie spirit? They are now renown for it. Who hasn't heard about the 12th Man? Or heard of Timothy Doran Kerlee, Jr, who was not only the 12th man to perish, but upheld the spirit of the 12th man right to the end? To insist, though critically injured and trapped, that the rescue teams help others and even directing them to others who were trapped? How can you not look up to someone who pushes aside their own pain and suffering to help others? It is for him and all of the others that the Bonfire must be upheld. It is for the hundreds of thousands who mourned the loss of these twelve. It is for the spirit of the 12th man that the Bonfire must be built and lit next year. Yes, modifications made need to be made, and yes, safety still needs to be a great concern, but don't you think these students were doing everything they could to stay safe while there anyway? Don't you think that, if not for their own sakes, at least for the sakes of others they were careful? Yes, Bonfire should be lit next year and may it burn as brightly as these talented and loved Aggies memories will forever be burned into our memories.
|
