Starfield Concert

I was very excited when a couple of my friends invited me to the Starfield concert. It was held in an Abbotsford church and when I saw the long line of people I got excited. I was even happier when we walked into the main sanctuary and saw that there were still seats left that gave us a good view of the stage, even though it was the second last row because the place was just packed. The whole front stage was set up in a rock concert fashion. Strobe lights, several spotlights, huge speakers mounted on a large square rack that surrounded the stage. I was pretty excited and couldn't wait for the worship to start.

One of the opening musicians retold the Bible story of three brave men who stood up to a king and was saved from death in a fiery furnace because of their faith. He asks the audience if anyone feels like they are in a fiery furnace. And if we're not, then watch out for that fiery furnace in our life because it will come. Wow...he had no idea.

After the opening act and a 1/2 hour message from a minister, we took a 10-minute break and during this break, over a hundred people went to the front to "mosh" in front of the stage. Starfield, the main group, finally came out to the anticipating and excited crowd. After one song, they began to start another, a much faster paced song. All the people at the front started "head-banging" to the music. Not more than maybe two minutes into the song, I noticed that the screens on the stage were shaking quite badly, but I closed my eyes to get into the song. Apparently, there was a very loud bang, but all I heard was the lead singer shout, "Stop, stop, stop!" I opened my eyes in time to see the speakers and lights rack fall forward into the crowd of people in the pews. Thinking back, I wish I had shouted, "Duck down!" or something like that, but I was a deer in headlights, hearing the screams and gasps of people around me. Almost immediately, people started screaming and crying and lots of people were rushing to get out. Also rushing were people who raced forward either to help or to find their friends. Several people lifted up the rack and I only hoped that all the people sitting there had time to duck under the pews. One of the pews snapped in half, but the rest stayed up, so I hoped they acted as barriers to protect the people. People were shouting at us to leave the premises, so as my friends and I filed out, we saw that one side of the front floor had completely collapsed. When I saw that gaping hole, my thoughts immediately went to all those teenagers who were bouncing up and down to the music. We lingered to see if we could help, but there were a lot of other people closer to the hole and since the structure was so unstable, not too many people could go near it. We also didn't want to be in the way and since we didn't know anyone down there, we left the building.

My friends and I stood around outside and watched as people milled about, some shouting out the names of their friends and family, some crying and comforting others, some without their shoes on and I knew they were one of the unfortunate ones in the front, and some were dazed. I was one of the dazed. It seemed so unreal. And all I could think of was the musician's words: Watch out for that fiery furnace because if you're not in one now, you will be. This was certainly the fiery furnace.

At the time, I was shaken, but not frightened. Of course, I was worried about the people who were directly affected by the crash of the speakers and lights and the collapse of the floor. I knew I would feel the aftershock of this later and I'm right. My hands are shaking right now as I type this and I know I have to remind myself to close my open jaw from time to time because I can still see the scene unfold and hear the singer cry, "Stop, stop, stop!" I can't help, but think that if my sister came to this concert with me, we'd both be down there moshing with the others. Already the news of the accident hit the CBC website by the time I got home at midnight. I watched the fifteen minute footage of the aftermath, but I close my eyes and replays of the rack falling over toward us won't leave my mind alone. That hole in the floor was the worse part, too.

Fiery furnace indeed.

Dear Lord,
I know You hear the cries of Your people tonight. Why did You allow for this accident to happen? What are we supposed to gain from this? In time, I know we will discover the answers, but right now we need Your comfort. Father, I know that it could have been worse and I thank you that most people are safe. Send Your Spirit to comfort us and to give us understanding. I pray that You will be with the hurt ones and heal them quickly, physically and emotionally. I pray for You to provide strength and patience to the family and friends as they await news of their loved ones. I pray that You will be with the medical teams who attend to the wounded and may they be swift and precise as they begin the healing process for the hurt. I pray for the management at Central Heights Church for they will face many confused and angry people, as well as the expenses of tonight's accident. Give them courage, wisdom, and integrity as they deal with this situation. Most of all, I pray that Your Spirit guides us to be patient and not be angry that this has happened. May the faith of all those who attended tonight stand unwaveringly in You despite what happened. And for those who have decided to walk away from you because of what happened will one day come back to You.
In Jesus's Name I pray,
Amen.