I've been silent on the blogosphere when it comes to the Newtown School Shootings for the past few days. Like almost everyone, I have opinions, but they have been made in haste and not thought through. I have more questions than answers.
This shooting fell on the week of Advent that we are "supposed to" preach about Joy. Let's be honest - There is NOTHING joyful about this shooting or ANY shooting or act of violence. There is nothing Godly about any of this. What happened was an evil act and a demonic act.
When I first learned about the shootings, I was dumbfounded. I had no words. I couldn't pray. I didn't even know what to pray for. What does one ask God for in a case like this? Still, I don't know. Do we ask for vengeance against the killer? That was the first thing on my mind, but that, too, isn't exactly Godly. Matthew 7:1-2 says, "Do
not judge, so that you may not be judged. 2For with the judgment you make you will be judged,
and the measure you give will be the measure you get." In other words, praying that God holds this killer to a different standard would mean that we would be held to that same standard. BUT, let me clarify: It IS NOT judging if we say this is an evil act - that is fact. That is discernment. It IS NOT judging to say that the murderer acted in an unGodly manner - that again is fact. Saying we have a vote in his eternal state IS judging. But, don't fear - God will be fair. God will not just let this shooter off the hook and say that everything is "ok." Even if God shows mercy, there will be justice.
I've been asked as a pastor, "Why did God let this happen?" Well, that's tough to answer. First of all, God didn't let it happen if you mean that God controls our every move like children control their dolls or action figures. God didn't make this happen. Because God gave us free will, there is the chance that other people will suffer and that we, ourselves will suffer. Every action has a consequence - good or bad. The consequence can be mundane - I flip the light switch and the lights come on. Or the consequence can be huge - I choose to drive intoxicated and innocent people are in danger. That doesn't mean that God let this happen. I have no doubt that God was working in this shooters heart and mind telling him not to do it; telling him there are other ways to express his anger; telling him there is nothing to gain by doing this. I'm sure that God put people or circumstances in his way to make this act inconvenient - traffic, phone calls, car problems, something like that. I'm sure that God did something to try to change his mind. But, in the end, he chose to act against God. At the same time, God was present with the victims and others in the school. God was giving them bravery, God was giving them reminders of what to do in an emergency, God was giving them peace of heart when their last moments came. God was with the first responders. God gave them the strength to come to a gruesome scene and still be professional and do their duty. Yes, these first responders are trained to deal with these issues, but in this case, I'm sure emotions took over. But God helped them through the day and will be with them in the days to come.
So where does Joy come in? First of all, we need to understand what Joy is. Joy is not mere laughter and giddiness. Joy is loving God and knowing God loves you. When you contemplate that one reality, how can you help but be joyful? Yes, there are dark times! The darkness may last a long time. But God is with all of us through it all. God is with the people of Newtown through their upcoming years of grief. We can be sure of that!
We cannot let our Joy be taken from us. Actually our Joy cannot be taken, we can only give it away. We cannot give it to those who would take it. The enemy wants us to live lives of despair and hopelessness. We must live lives of assurance and hope.
This is not a fairy tale hope. The same baby of Christmas is the same God-Man of Easter! Let that Joy forever live in your hearts!
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