It wasn't until the evening news came on and I heard the story, watched the anguished faces of parents and the fear stricken voices of little children, that grief grabbed hold of my heart. I shook my head and cried. In disbelief. In sorrow. Asking the question nearly every person in America asked, "Why?".
People interviewed used the phrase "trying to make sense of it". The more I thought of that, the greater my conviction that You Can't Make Sense Of It.
"The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God..." Romans 8:7
People often ask after a tragedy like this, "Where was God?", or "Why did God do this?". God doesn't do evil, humans do.
Those who are not focused on God have opened a door into which evil may enter. Some open the door willingly because they love evil and have a heart hardened against God and goodness. Others open the door by virtue of a sick mind that cannot help itself. The evil one takes full advantage and makes a home in their hearts and minds. He uses their weakness to destroy the lives and hope of as many people as possible. And, he takes great joy in our suffering.
God is grieved when we allow evil to rein in our lives. He suffers with us when we are hurt. The Spirit sighs in sorrow.
The loss of 20 sweet, precious babies and 7 beloved adults makes no sense. We live in a world that, by our choices, we have made evil, choosing sin over goodness in small and enormous ways.
People are wondering what we can do. In the days ahead there will be calls for societal changes to stop the insane violence that claims innocent lives. And that in itself may lead to positive outcomes, but it won't eliminate the evil in the world.
Until Christ comes again to claim His Kingship and slay the evil one, we will live in a fallen and sometimes cruel world. Our only hope is to set our sights on God, spend time with Him so His goodness penetrates our souls, and ...... PRAY.
It makes no sense - this killing of babies. And, it is especially painful because we are in a season of celebration, of hope, of love. We will ask the question "Why?" again and again. There is no satisfactory answer. Let us ask instead, "How do we get through this and maintain hope?"
"If God is with us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:31-32 & 38-39.
Be love and be blessed,
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