As the massacre and the events leading up to it unfold we are struck with horror and the perversion and evil that walked among us. Watching the TV we see "man" trying to analyze every bit of information to see how we can spot someone this sick. Although the perpetrator had been in mental health and even institutionalized he was deemed safe to be released into society. Everyone is saying, "How could this have happened?, how could a loving God, if there is one, allow this to happen?" Back to the analyzing the experts go.
Before I go on I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the victims. The shock, loss and horror they are dealing with is unimaginable to me. I am praying for that same loving God to wrap His arms around them and comfort them.
The irony of the whole tragedy is that it is going to be an extended tragedy. We, mankind,are not really going to learn from it. There is a VERY clear message in this horror as there was in Hurricane Katrina, the Tsunamis and other events that have unfolded. Man is NOT in control ! Yup, I've dared to say it and even write it here. People are still arguing over who is to blame for the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. "Did the national Guard respond in time and correctly? Did the President react properly? How could this have happened in our high tech world? Why didn't we have the right information to deal with this ahead of time? etc..."
All of these events are shocking to us and it shows that the loss of life is devastating, hence lets begin to look at how we value LIFE ( abortion wasn't the theme of this blog but that thought just seemed to find its way here). Devastation from 'natural disasters' is secondary to loss of life even by the media ! The amount of lives lost in the VA Tech massacre is shocking to all of us, it breaks the record set by other similiar tragedies.
Where does a "Loving God" come into this people ask? First, do you notice that when something bad happens mankind immediately either turns to God or blames God? So tell me, is God there or not?
Our VERY loving Lord provided us with information! He had it all written down! The Bible has survived thousands of years of 'mankind' trying to destroy it. In His Word He goes as far as to tell us what is going to happen in this world! Imagine knowing the end of the story! He provides us with what we need during our trek on this earth and instructs us how to use it. He didn't make us puppets on a string or remote controlled robots but gives us the CHOICE to decide whether or not to follow the owner's manual.
In scripture our Loving Lord promises that judgement will come. He warns us that His judgement will be righteous and that we will all understand His judgement. He tells us that not one of us knows when our life will be over and we will have to account for the choices we've made in our lives. He tells us about the 'end times'. How many warnings do we need? It is written down in black and white yet we proceed on trying to figure out the why's and wherefore's of each event. We think that our great minds and technology can change the 'global warming' and psycho babble will change the human mind to be filled with love for all......
Do you think that by allowing these tragedies God is trying to tell us that Man is not in control ? We can't control the weather, we can't control the human mind, we can't control what is coming--- Only God can and when we refuse to acknowledge HIM as the Almighty, the Author of life, the Creator, the King of Kings He tries to get our attention. He doesn't want us to choose the wrong way any more than you would want your child to be making headlines like we're seeing this week. I believe that our Loving God is a the extreme gentleman. He doesn't go where He is not wanted. When man tries to be God by depending solely on themselves for the answers we overstep the boundaries. Can we learn from a tragedy like this? Can we see that we need to follow the rules our Creator set up? When little johnny comes home from a friends with a cut on his arm from throwing rocks through the neighbors window do we sue the neighbor for allowing their glass to cut our baby? Then when you ask little johnny why he did this because you've told him never to through rocks at glass and he says, "Well, Billy said it was okay." do you calmly say, "Well if someone else is doing it then it must be okay."? Sounds silly but isn't that what we're doing? Over the years our role models have changed. Parents dreaded hearing their child say, "I'm going to be a movie star!" Hollywood was looked at like Sodom and Gomorrah, now we idolize the sordid lifestyle of Hollywood, divorce, drugs, money etc... At one time there were standards for our athletes, now there are excuses for poor behavior. At one time we respected our politicians now.... Well, now our politicians play God by legalizing the sinful things they want to do!
Is it possible that God loves us so completely that He told us in the Bible that the end times would be filled with sin and tragedy as a warning? He is a Just God, His judgement will be right. "Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord"
Mankind is playing God and doing a horrible job of it. God is giving us the choice to go our own way or follow Him but lovingly trying to show us that we are not in control that we are on the wrong course. We cannot control the evil in mans mind and actions nor can we control the weather or anything else that God has created. So who can? The Creator ! He's not 'up there' waving a wand of destruction, making people go on shooting rampages etc... that is each individual's choice. He is simply waiting for us to see HIM and choose HIm. He is allowing our own choices to show us what and who we are on our own. It is not a very pretty picture.
I hope that these horrific tragedies cause people to think about their day to day life and choices realizing that God is there waiting, he's holding out His hand and His eternal love for us. He offers us Heaven with Him for all eternity. Why do we go on ignoring Him and choosing our own way? Are these tragedies showing us a glimpse of the horrors of hell? It is no doubt showing us life apart from God.
Man has chosen to live apart from God. God is allowing it but He is waiting for us to see where our own choices have gotten us and offering every opportunity for us to turn to Him in all things before it is to late.
What will your choice be today?