It's not often that I blog. And when I do, I don't blog about national or global current events. It's easier to keep it strictly related to what's going on in my life. But today, I'm making an exception, because reading the stories coming from the Connecticut shooting and watching the news coverage is causing my heart to break. I cannot even imagine what those students, parents, teachers, friends and families are going through. I'm recalling memories of 8th grade when my own school faced the tragedy of two of my classmates dying in a car accident. The world may keep on turning, and although those not connected to the situation may stop for a moment or two to offer up a prayer or condolence, their lives quickly return back to the way they were, with routines and deadlines and everything in between. But for those directly affected by the tragedy, their worlds have come to a complete standstill, and sunny days have been replaced with stormy skies.
I know it's not possible for me to fully grasp and understand the utter devastation that all those directly affected by this tragedy are facing, yet I can't help but try to put myself in the shoes of the students, and how terrified they must have felt when shots were ringing through the school, and even now as it sinks in that they'll never see certain friends again. Or the parents, after hearing that there were shots at their child's school, dropping everything to race to the scene, only to find that they are helpless to do anything except wait. These thoughts continue, and my eyes fill with tears as pain fills my heart.
Life is so fragile, and tragedies like this remind us of that. So often I take for granted the fact that I woke up that morning, or that I'm surrounded by family and friends who love and support me. All too suddenly, something like this can happen, and what then? The world is turned upside down. But the reminder that our time here on earth is limited also brings with it a sense of urgency to be spreading the gospel. This world needs Jesus, and it's never more evident than when evil such as this is so apparent. We are broken, and in need of a Savior.
But in the midst of all this, it's all too easy to blame God. In our heartbreak, we turn our tear filled eyes toward the heavens and cry, "Why? Why do innocent children have to die?" There is no simple answer to this. But I urge you not to allow this tragedy, this hurt, this evil to cause you to turn away from God, or point to this and say, "See? This is proof that God does not exist. A good, perfect, and loving God would not allow this to happen. He would not have allowed those children and teachers to die." The fact is, as a loving Father, God created us with free will, and we chose to disobey Him. We are the reason for sin in this world. God is the Supreme Good, and evil is the absence of good, just as dark is the absence of light. But the answer God provides for our suffering is not some abstract idea, since pain is not an abstract issue. The answer God provided was sending His own Son to experience this very same earth we do. To share in our struggles; to face rejection, grief, betrayal, and ultimately death on a cross as He bore the sins of the world. What we desire most when tragedy befalls us is not an explanation, but presence. That's why Jesus came as an infant, whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas. He lived, shared in our sufferings, was crucified on a cross in our place, and rose again, so that our relationship could be restored with the Father. No one understands our suffering better than God. Who are we to say that we could run this world better than God, or create our own earth where suffering does not exist? Because a world void of the potential of suffering is a world void of free will.
Years ago, my siblings and I sang this song at our church. As I reflected on the events of today, and of the approaching Christmas holiday, it came to mind, and I haven't been able to stop listening to it. I encourage you to give it a listen as well. It ties together our suffering, and how the world is desperately in need of Jesus, which is why He came down to earth. A good reminder this Christmas season. Our focus shouldn't be on the presents or commercialism, but on celebrating Jesus' birth and being thankful for our loved ones.
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
-C.S. Lewis
