I met Casey Cease while we were both
making our way through seminary. Our paths crossed from time to time as we shared
a couple of classes together, but we didn't know each other very well past the
superficial acquaintance. Other than the occasional greeting in the hallways while
waiting for classes to begin, I don't think we shared more than a few words
during those four years at Southwestern. This often happens as we journey
through life. Our fast-paced culture drives us in different directions, with our
field of vision focused directly in front of us. People pass on the left and
right, quietly in our blind spots as we push the speed limit, hoping to
"get there" without being bothered. Unfortunately, and much to our
disadvantage, we often realize that we’ve missed scenery along the way that
would have blessed our souls and made the journey all the more brighter. Casey
was that scenery that I missed on my journey, and now knowing more of his story
though his book Tragedy to Truth, I wish that I would have slowed down
just a bit and glanced through my side windows.
Casey and I are also both writers who
have been able to incorporate writing into our ministries. One of the most
important elements of good writing is the ability to tell a story. In fact, I
would go so far as to say that this is the most important aspect of
communicating through the written word. Casey has the ability to tell a story,
and reveals that fact very clearly in Tragedy to Truth. As I began to
read the first few pages, I was given the opportunity to be an observer and was
transported into a story of which I felt I was part.
Casey and I have also both battled anxiety through much of our lives. As the book begins, I read of a
sensitive boy that is dealing with childhood anxiety and I share his fear. Through
his vivid description of his early years of life, I remembered with sadness
similar scenarios in my own life. As we walked together in the story through junior high, I
began to get to know Casey. I remembered the similar experiences of awkwardness
during these years of life and the struggles that most of us face in trying to
fit in while developing an identity of our own. As Casey shared his first
encounters with the opposite sex, I remembered that familiar feeling of
indescribable joy in the pit of my stomach, and felt the pain that assuredly
always accompanies it. Junior high is a tough time for many kids, and Casey
does an incredible job of painting that picture with vivid imagery. He takes
you back in time, puts his arm around you and confesses, “I was just like you.”
You feel it. You hear it. You smell it. You’re there.
Things inevitably change in high
school, and Casey paints a picture of striking and contrasting ups and downs
that make his story unique. I felt as if I was more of an observer at this
point of his journey, but none the less felt captivated by the story. It
becomes obvious that the path of his journey is becoming darker and I began to read
with nervous anticipation of what was to come. Bad decisions, creating false
personas, feelings of isolation and self-destruction become elements of Casey's
story. The warning signs begin to appear in on the road. Yield. Proceed With
Caution. Rough Road. Reduce Speed Now. Road Narrows. And although I could not
relate to all of the particulars of his journey, I could feel the intense pain. I
shared the fear, anger and frustration and was saddened by the turn of events
that culminate in the "Tragedy" of this story.
Death has a feel to it when
encountered face to face. I could feel death as I began to read of the life
changing event that is the pivot upon which this story turns. The eerie cloud
of unexpected death covered me as Casey shares this dark part of his life. Feeling
as though I was standing at the scene of the accident, I could smell the
gasoline, oil and engine fluids mixed with blood that must have been pouring on
the street. I could feel the chill in the air as well as the chill upon Casey's
soul as he became conscious of what had happened. I could hear the screams and
panic in voices as others reacted to their surroundings. I could hear the
distant whine of police cars and emergency vehicles and felt the fear that must
have overwhelmed him at the exact moment that reality joined the unconscious. I
felt as if I were the one sitting in a crashed vehicle, covered in glass and
blood. I imagined the feeling of not knowing exactly what had happened, but
knowing something tragic had occurred and that life as Casey knew it was about
to be drastically altered. Casey's life was altered forever, and this is this
is the point when truth begins to be ushered into his life.
Casey earns the right to share his
faith with you. By building trust in sharing his story, the reader senses that
trust has been built and I found myself eagerly wanting to hear him out. I will
admit that even though I work in ministry as well, I’m not a big fan of
traditional evangelism. The “in your face” techniques never worked with me
before I found Christ, and they don’t appeal to me now. I believe in building
relationships and sharing my faith through my life, actions and love. From all
practical perspectives, I could have tuned out during the second half of Casey’s
book. But there is one element that kept me reading, engaged and connected with
his story: Love.
As Casey shares the details of how
he found Christ, you sense nothing but love for the reader; not just “readers”
in general, but “reader”, because he's talking to you. As I read of Casey’s faith, I felt as we were sitting
at a table in Starbucks. He clearly reveals how his story is intractably
connected to his faith in Christ and this kept me listening and wanting to know
more. I found myself wanting to continue reading because I felt that Casey
cared about me. If I were not a follower
of Jesus Christ, I may not be convinced, but I would have quite a bit of
thinking to do about Christianity. I would dig deeper. I would read more. And
had I not already been conversing with the God of the universe, I would definitely consider
initiating a conversation.
As Casey shares his faith in Christ,
I imagined the Apostle Paul, standing on Mars Hill while debating with the
Epicureans and Stoics in ancient Greece. As he pleads his case with love and
compassion, revealing the identity of the UNKNOWN GOD, the philosophers of the
day listen with interest, fascination and anticipation of a new possible truth being revealed. In Acts 17:22-31, the words pour from Paul’s heart because the truths
that he speaks of are intertwined with the truths of his own life. The facts
are presented, his heart is poured out, his case is made. And as he ties
everything together in the truth of the Resurrection, some walked away
unconvinced, but some opened the door for further discussion: “We shall hear you again concerning this.”
In reading Tragedy to Truth, some may walk away unconvinced. But many will close its pages, reflect
on Casey’s story and resolve in their hearts, “I will hear you again concerning this.” Casey will be there; the
pastor as well as the accomplished writer.
