BLACKSBURG — In the months since April 16, we have heard the question many times, “How's it going in Blacksburg?” As we remember our friend Brian Bluhm and the others who lost their lives that day, the answer of how we are doing differs from day to day. Some days the grief weighs stronger. Some days hope shines especially bright. We at Baptist Collegiate Ministries have been especially thankful for all the ways the hope of Christ has shown through our students this fall.
On Aug. 28 the focus of our student-led worship event was hope and healing. We sang praise songs. We prayed. We heard the testimony of Helen, a sophomore from Richmond, as she shared how God is walking with her in the midst of losing a friend. We focused on scripture passages that had helped to sustain us. We were challenged by Bryan Cloyd, who lost his daughter, Austin, in the tragedy.
Throughout the evening a large banner was available at the back of the room for students to write out their prayers, tributes, favorite scriptures and thoughts. Banners that had been sent in the spring to encourage our students were put away that night, and at the close of the evening this new banner was raised. Our hope is that it will continue to encourage students throughout this school year as they walk forward together in the hope of God's ability to bring the continued healing that is needed.
The text of the verse on the banner is Isaiah 61:3, “… provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” This passage has been an encouragement to our BCMers throughout the summer and fall, with the picture of the God who pulls good out of bad and the picture of the leaders of strength and vision that God is building.
Gratitude is one component that has again and again been a help to people here in their grief. We're thankful for families like the Bluhms and the Cloyds who live out a Christ-centered hope in the midst of their pain. We're thankful for BCM student leaders who have stepped up this fall with a maturity beyond their years. We're thankful for Virginia Baptists, who throughout the last few months have modeled the best in grief care, kindness, and encouragement. We're thankful for the God who is building “oaks of righteousness” here in BCM — students that will live their lives “for the display of his splendor” and will be a blessing to the church of the future.
How's it going in Blacksburg? Thanks for asking the question. It reminds us that you are remembering students and families as they continue to look for comfort.