Columbine Survivor Says ‘God Has a Plan for Even the Worst Stuff’

Published: April 24, 2024

Columbine Survivor Says ‘God Has a Plan for Even the Worst Stuff’

By Movieguide® Contributor

Twenty-five years after the tragic Columbine High School shooting, survivor Craig Scott is reflecting on how the event strengthened his faith.

Scott was a student at Columbine at the time of the shooting, as was his sister Rachel, who was killed by the two gunmen.

“I’ve dedicated a lot of my life to sharing my sister’s story, my story, and traveling around and speaking,” Scott told CBN News in a recent interview.

He and his family have kept Rachel’s memory alive through various speaking programs, as well as I’M NOT ASHAMED, a movie based on Rachel’s journals. A portion of the Movieguide® review reads:

I’M NOT ASHAMED is a guaranteed tearjerker. Rachel Scott’s story is one of inspiration, conviction, struggle, and compassion. The movie’s final moments honor Rachel’s legacy, which continues even today. The movie isn’t without flaws, with some dry acting, too many beginnings and a prolonged second act. However, the emotional conclusion makes up for these issues. The movie does contain some violent moments and rebellious teenage behavior requiring caution for children. Otherwise, I’M NOT ASHAMED will inspire many people, young and old, to run to Jesus and cling to the hope He gives us.

Scott has also shared his own story about surviving the shooting.

“I watched as the shooters went around the room, taunting students and treated it like it was a game,” Scott said, explaining that he watched as the shooters taunted and killed his fellow students and friends.

“They left me underneath that table,” he said. “I thought I was going to die.”

Scott continued, “I heard God speak to me. And I am careful even with that phrase, ‘God told me to do something.’ … But I felt very strongly [that He] told me to, ‘Get out of there.’”

He and the rest of the students in the library stood up and ran out to safety.

Scott has spoken over the years about how his faith helped him understand the tragic event and share with others the ability to find hope in the midst of chaos.

“[It] has been one of the biggest, helpful things in my journey the last 25 years, this belief that God has a plan and a purpose for even the worst stuff,” Scott explained.

He spoke further about his faith in an interview with The Washington Times, saying, “My faith has definitely been the biggest thing that has helped me get through everything…I feel like it’s a gift that was given to me: I have my faith as a gift.”

Scott has also discussed the power of forgiveness, telling CBN, “Forgiveness is like setting a prisoner free and finding out that prisoner was you,” said Craig. “So you have all of this anger and you realize forgiveness is what sets you free from that.”