To say that there are a lot of hurting people is a gross understatement. Almost daily we see the evidence of that pain in senseless violence and destruction. Today was a horrible example. My heart goes out to the families of the injured and fallen students at Northern Illinois University (http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1305546,00.html?f=rss)
We send our children to college to get an education. Instead of being trained in their chosen disciplines many, unfortunately, are learning that college can be a dangerous environment. In times like this, those of us with faith in God are bound to wonder why these kinds of senseless things occur. I wish that I had a satisfying answer. The question of why bad things happen to good people has the been the subject of many books and many conversations. God, the creator of the universe, does not force God’s will on anyone. As a result, there are people in the world who are just not very nice. In fact, there are some very mean and ugly-acting people in the world. There are also people who have, themselves, been so abused or neglected that they cause terrible harm to others out of their own pain. I don’t know why these kinds of tragedies occur. I do not pretend to understand it myself. However, one thing that is absolutely certain is God’s love. When things make no sense whatsoever, God remains a shelter. God is able to provide peace in the midst of all of our storms. On days like this when our hearts are broken over the loss of these beautiful young people we can turn to God for comfort knowing that God really does care.
Pray with me.
Lord, I ask that you be very present in the lives of every student who is impacted by the violence at Northern Illinois University. God, we do not understand why this occurred. And our hearts grieve for the senselessness of this act. But God, we trust you. Our hearts are overwhelmed so lead us to the Rock that is higher than we are (Psalm 61:2). Lord, the scripture teaches that your strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). We feel very weak right now, Lord, and need to lean into your strength. Uphold us with your right hand. God, give us the peace that passes all understanding. Speak peace into hearts that are fearful. Speak peace into hearts that are angry. Speak peace into hearts that are anxious. Speak peace into every part of our lives, Lord. And God, you promise to work all things together for good. We cannot see the good right now, Lord. But we trust that you will reveal it in due time. Lord, do not let the deaths of these young people be in vain. We thank you in advance for being God! We anxiously await the healing that you will bring.
Amen.
If you do not know God as savior, I invite you to give your life to him. If you need to know more about how to do this, please write. Either post here or email me at revdonna.cox@gmail.com.
God bless.
Rev. Donna
