What Remains?

In the wake of yesterday's horrific tragedy we are plagued by questions, the biggest and toughest of which is Why?  Why do humans hurt one another in such senseless acts of violence?  Why would a person or persons think that to harm innocent bystanders, minding their own business and enjoying an American tradition, yields anything of value? 

In the coming days our authorities will analyze the mountain of leads coming in and will find those responsible for this act of terror, of this I have no doubt.  But, I am just as confident that even if those who are responsible tell us "Why" it will not answer the question.  We will still be left stunned and saddened and, unfortunately, perhaps a little more hardened ourselves.

So often we discover after an event such as yesterday that those responsible for the evil destruction upon others have in some way been impacted by hate, violence and bigotry in their own lives.  Don't jump to conclusions - I'm not defending these heinous acts or the perpetrators in the least.  I'm simply questioning on another level - Why?  Why do human beings, whether in the name of God or justice or plain hatred, decide that murder and maiming are ways to a better life or to positive change or even to furthering their agenda? 

I can't make sense of it.

How can so much evil and vileness exist in the same human heart that can respond with goodness, generosity and love? 

We are already hearing the stories of courage and selflessness that inevitably occur in the midst of tragedy.  Bostonians and visitors rushed to give blood that would save the lives of the injured.  The citizens of Boston opened their homes to complete strangers who had lost their belongings in the explosions.  Many of these stories will be nearly identical to those we heard after that fateful day in September that forever changed us and forever changed our nation.

We need to hear these stories of love because the question of Why hangs in the air like a shadowy noxious gas.  If that question was all we were left with, we would suffocate under the weight of the burden of knowledge that mankind can be so incredibly cruel. But, it's not all that remains.

1 John 4:16
We have known and have believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who remain in love remain in God and God remains in them.

Let us stand strong together.  Let us seek justice for these horrible crimes against innocent citizens.  Let us be courageous and resolute.  Let us always fight the evil that exists around us.  But, let us not forget that we are not just capable of great love in tragic times, but it is our responsibility to keep that love alive in us no matter the circumstances.  That is how we overcome evil and hatred, by allowing God to remain and grow where bitterness and hatred threaten to take hold.

Don't allow it.  Don't give up.  Don't lose faith.  Don't stop loving others.  Everything will end one day and strife will no longer be.  But, love never ends.

Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Be love and be blessed,

In case you don't know the meaning of my closing, I always use the same one, "Be love and be blessed".  Some have thought I meant "be loved", but I have intentionally used the phrase to mean that we are to be love in this world and by being that love we not only bless others but are blessed ourselves by showing and sharing our love.