The American Fork High School Band is one of Utah's best known. It has won 19 straight Utah state titles. The band also performed at President George W. Bush's 2005 inauguration and marched in the 2007 Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.
Last Saturday, the band was on its way home after winning yet another competition hosted by Idaho State University when the unthinkable happened…
Suddenly, for reasons yet unknown, the driver of one of the four buses carrying the band members slumped over at the wheel. Immediately, Heather Christensen, a 33-year-old woodwind instructor for the band, jumped up from her seat and grabbed the steering wheel of the bus. She tried desperately to correct the course of the bus to keep it from crashing and to protect the lives of the 54 band members on the bus.
Christensen was unable to prevent the crash. The bus veered from Interstate 15 and rolled. Christensen was partially ejected in the process, but many believe that her heroic efforts prevented the crash from being worse. The lives of all 54 band members were spared as well as the bus driver. Christensen was the only fatality.
She gave her life trying to save the lives of others!
When WE were lost in sin and doomed for eternal destruction, Jesus, the Son of God, left the glory of heaven to come to our rescue. He gave His life trying to save the lives of ALL people (Hebrews 2:9). He died so that others might live, eternally with Him in heaven. "He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him" (1 Thessalonians 5:10).
In order to receive the benefits of His atoning death, we must: believe and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Then we must continue to live our lives in obedience to the One who gave His life for us (2 Corinthians 5:15). God has promised that if we strive to follow Him faithfully, the blood that Jesus shed will continue to cleanse us from our sins (1 John 1:7).
Today, many continue to honor the memory of a Utah band instructor who was killed trying to save the lives of her students.
Now, will WE honor the One who gave His life so that WE might live eternally? His sacrifice is honored when we accept His offer of salvation on His terms.
Won't YOU?
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