I do not pretend to have a
satisfactory explanation for what we witnessed in Connecticut on Friday.
I struggled along with everyone to make sense of such a senseless tragedy. I
pray this response will bring encouragement, strength, peace, clarity……anything
that could help as we all walk forward.
In the wake of such a
tragic event like what has happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the
questions “Why did this happen?, Where was God during this?” have been at the
forefront of many people’s minds. There have been many knee jerk reactions in
an effort to answer them. To use this tragic instance to justify a political
position on gun rights/regulation is abhorrent and immoral. Many were
spouting/posting their favored position as though it offered an answer to the
above questions before the final body count was in. The only result that
offered is to further fuel the negative emotions that swirled in everyone’s
heart and to push one another away instead of drawing each other close. There
is a time and place for that needed discussion but this is not it. Addressing
the method, a gun, does nothing in addressing the motive as evidenced in China.
On the very same day in Chenpeng village a man entered an elementary school and
stabbed 22 kids and an 85 yr old woman. Gun control in China is without question
is extremely tight but in the last two years school attacks have increased (using
knives, machetes or hatchets). In fact in 2010 alone there were 5 school
attacks in China resulting death for 15 children 2 adults and 80 injured. There
will be a time, place and need to address the method. But even if a resolution
for the method could be reached it does nothing to eliminate the motive. Where
a motive exists, a method will be found.
How
do we address the motive? First we must acknowledge what the motive is. EVIL.
The motive, the origin, the essence of what we have seen is EVIL. We can
continue to dance around and label it something else, try to medicate it away
calling it an illness (not implying all illness is evil), blaming political
parties and positions all the while leaving it to grow and increase, leaving in its wake more and more horrid
examples of its depth.
One
would think Christians would be able to respond to the questions about evil or
the ones asked above…Where was God? Unfortunately many of the responses made
are worse than those trying to jockey for political positions on gun
rights/regulations. Many have regurgitated clichés and catch phrases about God
not protecting the schools because He was kicked out due to the removal of prayer
and the Ten Commandments. While there is a time & place for discussion on
how the country’s direction away from God has consequence, this is not it! To
recite those pitiful words as an excuse or answer to such situations is
irresponsible, reckless and absolutely abhorrent. Not the least, unscriptural.
The Bible is clear on God’s love for children. Jesus said that if “But whoever
causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better
for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the
depth of the sea.” – Matt 18:6. Would He now take a position of indifference
because of political opposition? Of course not. And we cannot allow clichés to
be our answer. We are called to be light in a dark world offering hope, to be
the ones that show the love of Christ. Do not snuff out that light with retorts
offering only hopelessness & judgment.
How
then should we respond? We must realize
that often in times of pain there is no answer. When asked we are left with….I
don’t know. It’s okay to not know. In fact when it comes to God & His will
we are told often we will not understand. 1 Corinthians 13:12 says “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling
reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.
All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything
completely, just as God now knows me completely.” NLT. As the world has been enveloped with evil and
we face circumstances that are shrouded in the darkness of confusion,
frustration and despair we have a light. A light not only to help us to get
through but one meant to shine through us to those around. As a ship lost at
sea surrounded by fog & storms follows the beacon of the lighthouse we can
follow the promises of God. Lee Strobel
spoke to a church after the Aurora CO shootings which I reference below. Read
the whole sermon here.
Accepting we cannot offer an answer to “Why” we must be able to answer “How do
we move on from here?” When we look to
God we must remember a few things about who He is and where His plan will lead.
First, remember that He did not create evil, sadness or suffering. When He
created man & woman He said it was good. Only when man walked away from God
did things spiral out of control. God did not create suffering; He is the
opposite of it. God is Love. Secondly, that while He did not create suffering
He can work through it somehow. While the free will & choices of some
inflict harm on others, God can in spite of the suffering cause good to come of
it.( Romans 8:28). Third, as we look for the way forward we must understand
that this world of pain & suffering will end. God’s kingdom IS coming.
Christ will judge the evil with a finality we cannot understand but also bring
us to a place of unspeakable joy “And God will wipe away every tear from their
eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no
more pain, for the former things have passed away” Revelation 21:4. Fourth, we
can decide how we will move forward, whether in bitterness & rage or
turning to God for peace & strength. Jesus told us that there would be
suffering in the world but at the same time offered peace through a
relationship with Him - “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you
may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome
the world” - John 16:33. As we cannot fathom the depths of the evil &
suffering on display in Connecticut we are equally incapable of understanding
having peace in the midst of it. But if we approach Him with all of our
confusion & sorrow He will give us a peace that surpasses understanding
(Philippians 4:7).
Christ
calls us to follow Him, not only when it is comfortable & convenient but
also when there is darkness, pain & confusion. We hold onto His words that
He will never leave us or forsake us. How else can we point others to His
light?
If
you are reading this and don’t know Jesus Christ, you can. If you truly want
Him to be the Lord of your life, ask Him.
It’s as simple as saying “Lord Jesus I believe you are the Son of God. I believe I am a sinner. I believe that you died on the cross for my sins &
rose on the 3rd day. Please forgive me, cleanse me and come into my
life. Lead me and be my Lord. In Your Name I pray. Amen.”
The
words are simple but when spoken from a sincere heart they are the most life
changing words you could ever speak.
Pastor Ken Rafferty
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