Yesterday was mind numbing.
Tragedy brings out the very best in some people, but the loudest seem to be the most horrible. The tragedy in Las Vegas was just that -a tragedy. When horrible things happen to a large group of people, here's a short list of things not to do:
***BEGIN***
1.) Make it political.
2.) Turn it into a joke.
3.) Make it the butt of a political joke.
4.) Expressing that God is punishing said group of people (aka they brought it on themselves).
5.) Telling people how they should be feeling.
6.) Splitting theological hairs at a time when a greater number of people are looking to the Heavens in a last hope that some kind of God exists.
7.) Using platitudes.
8.) Convince yourself that this is a passing "trend" and it will correct itself.
9.) Accept that this is the new "normal".
10.) Be Afraid
***END***
It's not okay that domestic terrorism keeps happening, and I hold onto a hope that one day Americans can truly live without a glimmer of fear in the United States.
I don't have any practical solutions to solve the problem of terrorists existing. Evil will people do exist and will continue to exist. However, I know that if humanity becomes afraid that the terrorists win. My Rock that makes me not afraid is Jesus Christ. I can't promise you that trusting in Christ will make you happy, eliminate your daily struggles, give you all of the answers, or even put a smile on your face... If you put your faith in Christ (accept Him as your Savior, model His actions, long to relate with people the way He did, strive to listen and understand others [rather than talk and give answers], pursue Him as your Teacher, pursue asking your Teacher difficult questions when horrible things occur, and rest in the fact that you'll be misunderstood by non-believers [as He often was] rather than stress about correcting faults and defending the Gospel with knowledge) you will not have any reason to be afraid.
If you truly believe that God is in control of a bigger and greater plan -there is absolutely no reason to be afraid of anything on this side of heaven.
My prayer is that humanity will one day rest in Him and no longer be afraid.
"THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"
Until next time,
-T.