When Tragedy Strikes!

20 children and 6 adults shot dead at an elementary school!  A tragic event that Americans are seeing happen with uncomfortable frequency.

And now the collective question rises up from the nation…

WHY?

Asking “why?” when tragedy strikes is a natural response and it’s been happening for thousands of years.  In the Gospel of Luke (Ch 13) we hear mentioned of the Tower of Siloam which had recently collapsed and 18 people died.  The crowds began asking Jesus “why”?

Were they “sinners”?

Were they guilty of some offense that God judged them for?

No, Jesus says to them that they were not any more bad or good than the people he was talking with.  He then says “you are living in a broken world and in a broken world bad “stuff” happens; unless you re orientate your thinking (repent) you also will lead broken lives that end in death.”

Mankind itself is broken; we live in a culture where 20 year old men can walk into elementary schools and begin indiscriminately shooting defenseless children.

Americans may think our ease at obtaining firearms is the reason “why” these tragedies occur but on the same day at an elementary school in Henan, China a man entered the school and stabbed 22 students and a teacher.

The weapons are different…but the brokenness is the same!

Even as I write this though I am watching the candlelight vigil on CNN.  A community singing together, crying together, and standing together.  I’m reminded of how the light always seems to shine most bright in the darkness.

Those that know me also know I REALLY dislike trite Christian platitudes at times like this.  They often reduce the power God really does have to bring healing to a situation to the level of a bad “self help” book.

I know “why” these things happen.  I also know the One who wants to see it end once and for all.  So I’ll end this post with this promise from the Bible (Rev. 21) of what lies ahead.  When what is broken is forever repaired and tortured souls no longer walk into schools to harm innocent children;

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!