Yesterday was packed with meetings. A meeting with an architect, with a pastor, with a publisher, with a friend, with a fellow staff person, back to back to back. I heard in one of my early meetings about a shooting in Connetticut, but no details. It wasn't until early afternoon that I became aware of the gravity of this tragedy. I went into another meeting and avoided the news. At the end of my day I finally turned on NPR as I drove home. I could hardly drive as I wept all the way home. At one point I had to pull off the road. These children are the age of Lexi, our beautiful granddaughter. I was just in her kindergarten classroom a couple of weeks ago surrounded by her friends. How could this happen? I woke up this morning and the tears are still flowing. My heart hurts for the children who are dead today; for the parents, grandparents, families and friends who are devastated to the point that life seems unbearable; for the first responders who walked into a kindergarten room full of lifeless children; for all of us who want to be caught up in the hope of an inbreaking future of peace and joy. My heart hurts. Death is our enemy. My friend Tim Suttle asks the question I ask when I'm honest about the reality that while I long for resurrection, restoration and the shalom of God's future this world constantly reminds me of its tragic nature...
How long Oh Lord?
"It takes all of my strength to say this: I refuse to believe that evil wins. I refuse to allow this to breed bitterness in my heart, to make me hate. When I am faced with unspeakable evil I will refuse to lash out, and I will only love, love, love. I will believe that love is stronger than hate. I will continue to hope in the face of evil and it will be my ultimate act of defiance.
So, don’t get used to it.
Don’t become numb to it.
Don’t avoid the pictures and pretend like the world is not coming apart at the seams for these teachers, children, their families, and their community. Never get used to the darkness. “Rage, Rage, Rage, against the dying of the light.” Weep with those who weep, to be sure, but never let evil tempt you to hate. Refuse to let this be one more thing that causes us to lunge at each other’s throats. The most radical thing to do right now is continue to pray and act and think and live in hope. Hug your children. Pray for those who have been ravaged by this madman." Tim Suttle. See more of his thoughts here.
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