What happened? That is the first question that goes through the mind of people associated with victims of crime. And to clear up this question or give a sort of closure to this question, there is CSI. CSI is the acronym that stands for Crime Scene Investigation. Investigators are not the ones you want inside or outside of your home at any given time. I say this because when they show up in your lives, there is some type of tragedy that has occurred.

Their visit obviously means that something has really happened so bad that it likely involves the death of someone. When I look at the job of these investigators, I can say that is not for me or that I do not have the nerves of steel it involves.

The episodes of the television show “CSI” are very interesting and keep the mind wondering about what really happened. The show recreates how the incident that led to death happened. For each case, they piece together the scene of the crime. Because investigators were not there, they will have to rely on two kinds of evidence or clues. The first kind of evidence is one that does not tell the story with a voice. Autopsies, fingerprints and other materials are helpful to their case. The other form of evidence is the one that can talk and tell the story — witnesses. These are the ones who were actually there and saw or heard something, or the ones who actually participated in the crime.

Although the investigators always come up with a conclusion of their own, there are still doubts and issues left in the minds of people and victims of the crime. One thing is always for sure no matter what kind of conclusion man must take to satisfy his mind, I’ll always revert to my own version of CSI.

To me these initials mean Christ Still in-Charge. No matter what goes on in this world, I’ll have to know and believe for myself that there still is a God and Jesus is still sitting on the throne. We must understand that investigators are only human and are assuming that this happened or that happened, but the bottom line is God knows what happened, while man tries to put together the pieces by relying on scientific facts and conclusions. As I look at things that are happening around me, and from a personal standpoint, sometimes I get consumed with thoughts of this world.

The news is filled with all sorts of heartbreaking stories and happenings. From death in my community to far off places such as China, the questions always remain the same, “what happened?” The answer to that question may still be a puzzle, even when the investigation is over. And sometimes, even the ones who were associated with the crime do not know what happened.

It is a tragedy when things happen, but no matter what I have to always look at it with a spiritual eye and say we know that sure as we are born, we shall surely die. The Bible says that man born of woman is full of trouble and few days.

As we grow older after birth, we know exactly where we were born, but we definitely do not know where we will be at when we die or how we will die. Because death will surely happen and because of the hearts of men, CSI is in place to determine if you just died in your sleep peacefully, accidentally, or if someone intentionally contributed.

So when death happens, and surely it will, whether personally or by association, put your trust in God who really knows what happened. And from that, look with a spiritual eye and help someone get through it. Remember that although Jesus had to die a tragic death, he rose again because this is the promise we are offered as Christians, of having an everlasting life. To all bereaved families, I can relate to your pain and those who don’t know, as the old folks say, keep living, one day you will ask what happened and when you do, I hope that you are comforted by someone who can relate. God gave his only begotten son.

Beverly Gibson is a Ferriday resident.