Many young people, particularly teenagers, do not realize just how fragile life can be. Oh, they know accidents happen, but that somehow doesn’t apply to them! They know that you can be struck down suddenly with some nasty disease and even die, but it somehow applies to everybody else — just not them.
One September afternoon, five young people in California were having a good time, but it nearly cost them their lives. They were driving down Yankee Jims Road in Colfax, just outside of Sacramento, which is a narrow, winding road. Their SUV ended up going over the edge of the cliff and tumbled more than 200 feet to the bottom before becoming wedged between large boulder-like rocks and trees. As it flipped over several times on its way down, all of the young people were ejected because they were not wearing seatbelts. One young person was in good enough shape that they could scramble up to the road and wave down a car for help.
There were two young men, a 20-year-old driver and an 18-year-old passenger in the front seat. In the back were three 16-year-old girls. It took rescuers several hours to haul the young people up the side of the canyon, as several rope systems had to be set up. One of them had to be airlifted, while the others were taken to trauma centers with moderate to severe injuries.
Police did arrest the 20-year-old driver for suspicion of driving under the influence, an incredibly dangerous and reckless thing to do, especially driving on a road that would require the full attention of a sane and alert person. Not only was his life endangered, but so were the lives of four other people, as well. But really, just how bad was it? “Absolute miracle. It was a total miracle that they all survived,” California Fire Captain Chris Baldoni told the news reporter.
It Isn’t Really “Harmless”
You know, having a “good time” and “just trying it to see what it’s like” can seem harmless, but it is really just a lie of the devil. The Bible speaks of “the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:2525Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (Hebrews 11:25)). Yes, there can be pleasure in sin — at first. But what people don’t realize is the strength of the sin, any sin, actually — and its awful end. When they start out, they don’t see the penniless alcoholic, the desperate drug addict, or the diseased body due to illicit sex. But the Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is death.” Living in sin and unrepentant towards God will land you in a lost eternity. You may wonder, How bad can it really be? Jesus said of the wicked (those without repentance or faith towards God) that they shall be cast “into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:5050And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:50)). The time for repentance and forgiveness of sins will be over — there will only be endless sorrow and regret for what could have been, but you will realize then that it’s too late!
Just like those five young people who now have a second chance at life, you now have the chance to come to Jesus in faith. “The wages of sin is death; BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)). Salvation is through faith in Jesus and His shed blood and death on the cross for our sins alone. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)). Oh friend, while you have life and are able, put your faith and trust in Jesus’ death on the cross for your sins now! Receive God’s forgiveness and He will give you eternal life. Yes, it is real. God will give the truly repentant person a new heart that wants to please and serve Him in everything.
Careless decisions were costly for the five young people. But the couple in Losing Everything! weren’t indifferent. They just didn’t fully understand how serious their situation was.