When God says, “Live!”

On a cold December night in 1979, Elvita Adams, burdened by despair and the weight of insurmountable struggles, stood on the edge of the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor observation deck - ready to commit suicide. The city sprawled below her, its lights a dazzling, indifferent sea of life.

With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and stepped into the void, the icy wind roaring around her like a scream. Hurtling downward, gravity and fate seemed to conspire against her. But just as the concrete below loomed closer, a fierce gust of wind, almost as if commanded by an unseen hand, surged upward and hurled her body back against the building. She slammed into the ledge of the 85th floor, her body battered, her hip fractured—but alive. Against every law of physics and probability, Elvita's fall stopped short, leaving her clinging to life, suspended between heaven and earth in a moment that defied reason and reeked of divine intervention.

Elvita was rescued by security guards and taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she received medical treatment for her injuries and psychiatric care for the mental health struggles that had led to her attempt. Her survival was as shocking as it was improbable, and it soon became a symbol of unexpected hope and resilience in the face of despair.

For many Christians, Elvita’s survival is a testament to God’s grace and intervention. Her miraculous rescue echoes the promise in Ezekiel 16:6: “And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.” Just as God spared Israel in its hopeless state, Elvita’s life was preserved at the brink of death, a living reminder of the God who offers hope even in the darkest moments.

Her story also reflects the promise in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Elvita’s survival reminds us that even when we are surrounded by despair, God’s plans for us remain good, and His purpose for our lives cannot be thwarted.

Beyond its spiritual implications, her story underscores the critical need for mental health support. Elvita’s leap was a cry for help, and her recovery highlights the importance of accessible resources for those battling emotional struggles. Psalm 34:18 assures us: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Her miraculous survival is a call for the Church and society to extend compassion and support to those in pain.

Elvita Adams’ story is more than a tale of survival; it is a pulsating reminder of unexpected hope, the mystery of divine purpose, and the resilience of the human spirit when upheld by grace.