A few days ago, we all witnessed a horrible act of violence as a political rally turned into a crime scene, and tragically, a murder scene.
Rest assured, this will not be a political post. There is plenty of division and dissension in our world today without me adding to it.
What I do want to address is how we, as Christians, should process this horrific event biblically, and maybe more importantly, how do we respond outwardly to those whose paths we cross daily.
As a young girl of six, I clearly remember crying as I watched the coverage of John F. Kennedy’s assassination on our black and white TV. His daughter, Caroline, was my age and I couldn’t fathom what it must be like for her to have lost her father in such a violent and public manner. Hence my tears for her.
So violence such as we saw this past weekend is not new for most of us. Many of us more seasoned folks have seen numerous assassinations over our lifetimes. We all see crime of every kind on a daily basis and have, in many cases, become a bit calloused to it, unless it hits too close to home. Political violence is also not new, as we’ve seen many horrific attempts to harm or even kill those in that arena in recent years.
So we must ask ourselves what biblical truths we can cling to and find hope in as we process yet again, another “senseless” tragedy.
This list is certainly not exhaustive. Yours may be different from mine. But these are the words God has given me to share with you in light of recent events.
- As hard as it is to witness or experience tragedies in this life, they are not the exception to the rule. Ever since Adam and Eve yielded to temptation in the Garden of Eden, this world has been hammered by sin-fueled violence. Must we do what we can to curb it, through numerous channels? Of course. But we are naive to believe we can eliminate it. That redemption will only come when Jesus returns.
- This is a hard one, and I understand if a part of you wants to shake your fist at this blog or yell at me (in abstentia, please!) because this statement gives you little peace or relief. But the truth is still the truth. God is absolutely sovereign over all that happens in this world, and is working to turn the tables on the havoc Satan wants to wreak upon us. As we clearly see in the story of Joseph, in the end he viewed his life of betrayal and injustice with this perspective: As for you [his brothers] you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today (Genesis 50:20). God is the only one who can ultimately bring anything good out of evil intentions.
- If we have a heart of compassion, or want to develop one, any tragedy is an opportunity to come alongside someone who is hurting and lend a non-judgmental, listening ear. Maybe they just need an outlet to voice their fear or frustration. But perhaps they are looking to you for a glimmer of hope beyond what they’ve witnessed in this world. Pray with them. Share God’s words of comfort and hope with them.
- What an incredible opportunity for us to uphold others in prayer. For this weekend’s tragedy specifically, pray for the family of the person who lost his life, for healing for those who are critically wounded, for Donald Trump as he processes this attempt on his life, and for all those in attendance who will be forever changed because of this. Pray for wisdom for all those making decisions, political and otherwise, in the following days. Pray that vengeance and retribution and negative opportunism would be held at bay – that more peaceful, tenderhearted, and wise reactions would prevail. Pray that hearts till be turned to Jesus as Savior and as the only true hope in this world
- For your own sake, spend deliberate time in prayer and study of the Bible. God Himself, and God through His Word, contain all the wisdom and guidance we could ever need, not just for this weekend’s events, but for all of life. Trust God to speak to you as you open your heart to hear his voice. That is the most effective way to prepare you to share your hope with others.
I know hearts are hurting, and many are struggling to trust a God who would allow such violence. Ask God to give you the faith to cling to him as the only true answer to this brokenness. In his time, God will bring justice and redemption to all of his creation.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary,
you have been grieved by various trials,
so that the tested genuineness of your faith—
more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—
may be found to result in praise and glory and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Peter 1:6-7
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