Ashley Smith had every excuse to turn away from God when her husband was killed four years ago, but she did not. Without knowing all the details of her journey in Faith, I do know that she had an active, live Faith that served her well in a very trying situation. The kind of calm, wisdom, and Faith that Ashley displayed did not develop from a passive “wish” to understand the Bible and walk closely with Jesus. Ashley knew the Bible and explained her Faith to a hardened, cold-blooded and hopeless rapist and murderer while her life was obviously at risk. That has to be the result of reading the Bible and praying to a living Savior.
After losing a spouse to murder, most of us would struggle to witness to a murderer. It would be much easier to hate murderers and hope that they would “burn in Hell.” It would be much easier to hate a murderer that was holding us captive than to wish to see him saved. Ashley did not want her captor to burn in Hell anymore than she wanted to leave her daughter parentless. Where does a young widow develop such a concern for a man who could take her life and leave her daughter an orphan?
Matthew 5
44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Ashley’s concern for Brian Nichol’s soul and its eternal fate may have been the first concern shown for this evil man in a long time. The only force that can overcome the kind of evil in Brian Nichols comes from God. The Holy Spirit guided Ashley Smith to witness effectively to this man that she no Earthly reason to care for. Ashley’s concern for him may have saved her life and saved the lives of numerous others who might have been in his path had he continued his killing spree.
Some have foolishly tried to explain away the Faith aspect of this dramatic story, but it simply can not be done. Ashley had no training to equip her to deal with a hostage situation. In spite of her lack of training, she will be studied as a hostage success story and those who study the situation will not ignore any aspect of Ashley’s success. If her Faith and genuine concern for her captor allowed Ashley to build the relationship with him that saved her life, honest students of her situation will acknowledge that and learn from it. Only fools will ignore and criticize it.
Ashley not only managed to escape, but did so at a time of her choosing. She had earlier opportunities to escape but made a shrewd tactical assessment that she could endanger herself, her captor, and law enforcement officials if she called for help at the wrong time. She knew God could resolve the situation without further loss of life. Where does such fearlessness and wisdom come from? The apostle Paul showed this kind of wisdom in a story from Acts that also ended well.
Acts 16
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paulshouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
In my humble opinion, Ashley Smith’s story is one even greater than the story of David defeating Goliath. Goliath was a champion warrior who challenged all of Israel. David was an overmatched warrior, but still a warrior who answered the challenge of Goliath. God guided David to victory with a sling and a stone.
I was not there when Goliath threatened Israel, but I was in Atlanta on the day of this ordeal. I have never seen so many law enforcement officials patrolling the Georgia highways and the Atlanta area. Without knowing what exactly had happened, I knew that every police officer and federal agent anywhere near Atlanta had been alerted to respond to something. They had been alerted by man to answer Brian Nichol’s challenge.
Brian Nichols was a cold blooded killer who threatened all who crossed his path. Ashley Smith, who was far from a traditional warrior, was alerted by God to answer Brian Nichol’s challenge. God delivered Nichols to Ashley Smith’s apartment and guided this hostage hero to deliver Atlanta from this terror with pancakes and prayer.
This would be a great ending to the story, but it is very possible that God will continue to use Ashley Smith. And let us not limit God to using our hero. If God uses Brian Nichols to advance his Kingdom, Nichols will not be the first murderer that God has used. Moses, Saul of Tarsus (better known as Paul), and King David himself were all murderers who God used in powerful ways. Can we show the courage Ashley Smith demonstrated and pray that God will use Brian Nichols to change lives while paying his debt to society and living out his remaining days on Earth in prison?
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