Lessons from a Lockdown

by Brian Bill
Published October 2, 2007

(Written on August 31, 2007)

Pontiac made not only national headlines recently; we even made the international news. A week ago Tuesday we wondered if we would be remembered in the same sentence as Columbine or Virginia Tech but thankfully a tragedy was averted. It was a close call but it was also a wake-up call. But if past events are any indication, the wake-up will be short-lived.

As you know by now, Pontiac Township High School was on a lockdown for three and a half hours as a result of officials finding six handguns on campus. Because this has rocked our community I want to draw out a few “Lessons from a Lockdown” so that we don’t miss what God wants to teach us.

1. Living in a small town doesn’t mean you are safe. I heard one person say, “So much for innocence in Pontiac.” This incident has taught us that whether we live in Pontiac or in a surrounding community, our problems are very real – and sometimes very raw. We are not insulated, and certainly not isolated, from those things that plague larger communities. Why is that? Romans 3:12: “…There is no one who does good, not even one.” While this is a good community, we also live in a sin-soaked society.

As I attended the various briefings, press conferences and parent meetings, I found within myself a strong tie to this community. To say it another way, I’m proud to live in Livingston County and Pontiac in particular. This community has pulled together when we could have fallen apart.

2. One person can make a difference. The student who had the courage to do what was right and tell the Resource Officer that he had observed some guns deserves to be commended. He is a hero. He did what was right, not what was easy. My other hero in this incident is Officer Bill Reynolds who responded immediately by instituting a “Code Red.”

I was also impressed with Chief Dale Newsome and the other officers who responded to this incident. They would tell you that they just did what they were trained to do but I think we need to thank every officer we see.

I am also very grateful for Superintendent Leo Johnson, Principal Jon Kilgore and LAVC Director Amy Smith for the way they handled the situation. The teachers provided stability and safety for our students in their classrooms. I’m also thankful for our local media as they worked diligently to get the right information out as quickly as possible. And I’m extremely grateful for the caliber of the clergy in this community.

Friend, don’t ever think that you don’t matter. Speak up. Stand up. The message of Mordecai to Esther in Esther 4:14 is true for each of us: “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” You are where you are for a purpose.

3. Reject rumors. As the events of that day were unfolding, dozens of rumors began circulating. Unfortunately, even after the truth comes out some people want to hold on to a rumor. Why is that? Proverbs 26:22: “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” Be careful about allowing a rumor to ruminate in your heart. Be even more careful about passing it along.

4. We are only safe when we seek refuge in Jesus. We live in a world with constant threats and uncertainty. And now it’s come to Pontiac. There’s no place to hide that is safe anymore except when we find our refuge in Jesus.

I realize that the information that has come out now is different than the fears that were flying around earlier in the week, but I think one of the lessons is this: Are you ready to die? It’s good for us to ponder our death because it helps us focus on what we’re living for. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior do it today (see John 1:12).

Wouldn’t it be great if Pontiac would be known as a community that learned these lessons? That would be a headline we could all be proud of.

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