Last night in my junior high class we discussed the Virginia Tech massacre, and I asked my kids a simple question: why? Why did this happen? What ensued was an interesting and honest conversation, and I was fascinated by some of their insights.
There's a tiny book of the Bible written by a man named Habakkuk, who's dialogue with God Almighty includes him asking God some very tough and honest questions. As you read the book you can almost here the frustration in his words as Habakkuk brings up some difficult issues to God. He knows that God is compassionate and merciful by nature, and yet he is baffled by the injustice and evil that often prevails in the world.
The very fact that Habakkuk (as well as us today in the aftermath of Monday's events) is enraged at what he sees going on around him in the world points us to the fact that there is some other standard by which we live, one higher and purer that what we currently exist in. Last night I told my kids that it is ok to feel sad and confused and even a bit angry, because God's response to Habakkuk is the same as his response to us today.
The righteous will live by faith.We know God is not responsible for the events of Monday (I'm so tired of hearing people say, "God must have been trying to teach us a lesson.") It
grieves God when He sees sin/evil (the results of humanity's rejection of Him) reeking havoc on His people.
But we must respond with faith, trusting that He is waiting to come take us home, not waiting to extend our suffering, but only so He can extend His mercy to those who don't know his Son. We must find peace in the fact that He is not slow in keeping his promises.
Lord this is a tough time, with lots of tough questions. Thank you for being with us during times like this, thank you for giving us peace even when we don't understand, thank you for giving us faith to trust in your unfailing love for this world. - - - - - - -
pic of the day:
