I awoke Friday morning, as many others did, to stories regarding the theater shooting at the midnight showing of the latest "Dark Knight" installment in Aurora, Colorado. My first thought went to my brother and his wife knowing they live nearby and that while it was unlikely they attended the movie, it wasn't beyond the realm of possibility. Thankfully, my brother quickly replied to my text message and he was fine. But many others were not fine...
I have already read people who are blaming video games and a lack of gun control among the reasons why this tragedy happened. That is not surprising given a society that is moving toward the viewpoint that evil does not exist. But it does. Without a belief in absolute truth and objective morality, evil seems like an outdated notion. But it isn't. Without the category of evil, we will forever search in vain for reasons to explain tragedy. It will be a search with no end.
Oprah sent a tweet out this morning asking for a coordinated moment in which her followers should send "love vibes" to the victims and their families. I am glad that Oprah was moved by this event. I am glad she wants to help those who have been affected. But I am utterly dismayed at the belief that love vibes, positive energy or thoughts of light will bring one moment of peace, heal one heart or dry one tear.
I understand the desire to want to help in any way possible. Humanity cries out in moments like this. But let us cry out to the God of the Bible rather than to ourselves. Pray to the God who can heal inside and out. Pray to the God who offers peace beyond all understanding. Mourn with those who mourn. Weep with those who weep. But always point back to the God who has promised us that one day there will be no more tears.
http://aminiatureclaypot.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/so-you-still-think-god-is-a-merciful-god/
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2012/07/21/tragedy-and-moral-language/
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/07/20/the-true-knight-is-risen/
http://www.christianpost.com/news/lee-strobel-probes-why-during-first-sunday-service-after-colorado-shooting-78727/
http://www.gotquestions.org/meaning-in-tragedy.html
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/articles/how-shall-we-minister-to-people-after-the-world-trade-tower-terrorism-of-september-11-2001
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/04/my-faith-the-danger-of-asking-god-why-me/
http://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/07/why-does-god-allow-tragedy-and-suffering/
http://thisoughtabegood.blogspot.com/2008/08/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn-1918-2008.html
