I cannot imagine dropping my child off at school in the morning then returning to pick them up only to hear that they will never come home again. I can’t imagine wondering ‘did I hug them tight enough when I said good-bye’, ‘did they know they were shot and dying in that moment’, ‘were they alone’, ‘did they cry or scream’. As someone who is watching this current tragedy unfold, I do not pretend to even begin to understand the grief parents and families are feeling. What must be the depth of sorrow which has entered these lives? Words alone seem empty. Words will not change the events; they will not bring these children back to their families.
As a collective member of society I am horrified at our selfishness which leads to the action of taking another’s life. I wonder why it is that God doesn’t just throw fireballs at earth and end this people who have desecrated lives He chose to give, to sacrifice His only Son for? So what do we do? What can we offer someone whose heart has been ripped to shreds?
There is only one healing ointment that can touch a broken heart and begin to mend a crushed spirit. The source does not come from man but rather from the Creator of men – Jesus Christ. The search for comfort, peace, and Truth will only be found in Christ.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This doesn’t mean you will understand completely, it doesn’t mean you will heal completely, it doesn’t even mean you will not feel pain. It does mean that above all Jesus loves you, He cares, and He sorrows for the sin that causes tragedy.
I have heard the passionate pleas of some governing officials stating that words are not enough, action must be taken. You could go in many directions trying to corral lawlessness. But the center of our problem is sin, selfishness, greed, and pride. We cannot ‘fix’ these things with more laws or more security. God alone can, God alone has. His name is Jesus. These are the only words which are not empty; His is the only action which offers a real solution.
Because God loves us, in spite of our depravity, He gave His Son. My prayer is for those who know Jesus to lean on His grace, His mercy, His comfort, and His peace. The most important action we can take is to share the Truth of the Gospel boldly with all those who will hear. There is forgiveness in Christ alone. There is mercy in His compassion for the lost. And folks, as a nation we are so lost. It is evident we cannot do this ourselves. The best efforts have failed and have only resulted in blaming one another for failure, taking sides, and hurling accusations. It is not difficult to recognize the alarming repetition of crimes against humanity. But there is hope for change; there is hope for the future.
This hope is not corny, it’s not a crutch or weakness, and it’s not a religion. It is the only solution to man’s sinful behavior – it is God alone. Because of His Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone. Please pray for humility of heart that people recognize their need and willingly bow before their Savior.
Then through tragedy, God will be glorified.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
