DID YOU HEAR ABOUT...

I suppose that beginning statement could turn out to be positive or negative. And every once in a while, it is attached to tragic news. Yesterday, working the drive thru window of the best "quick service" restaurant in the world (my humble opinion), I hear that phrase, followed by: "...the school shooting in Connecticut.?" After that moment, it is about all I have been talking about, hearing about, and thinking about. There is a desire to find out more information, and it is hard waiting for more details to come out. As always, some of the first things you hear do not turn out to be true.

But what was true, was that a young man killed his mother and then drove to an elementary school and killed many others (perhaps 20 children and 6 adults?). It is so hard to imagine. Add to this that Teresa and I lived right near that town when we were first married and I was a young pastor. I knew a pastor of a church there, although he is now a foreign missionary. I know families that have lived and gone to church or school in that area (although almost 20 years ago). It still makes it seem to close; and regardless of the past connection, so heartbreaking.

Many will try to make this into a gun control issue; or perhaps a discussion of the syndrome the shooter is said to have or multiple personality disorders. The talk will be of school safety and other concerns that are connected to a tragedy like this. But, for those of us who follow Christ, there is a greater concern: that God will be glorified through this tragedy. That eternal victories will take place, which far outlast this short, temporal life. This is a time to pray for these families and to focus on our God.

So, hear is my prayer, without really knowing all the details, but mourning the tragedy nonetheless:
"Lord, you are sovereign God. To you goes all the glory. We have no idea why you allowed this tragedy, but we know it goes to the sinful hearts of man. I pray that you will be close to and comfort the families and friends of those that have been killed. I pray that you will, somehow, turn this into eternal glory. That is, because of this tragedy, people will see the temporary nature of this life and turn to you for eternal security. I pray people will focus on loving others, knowing that our time together is very short. Whether it is a tragedy like this, or natural death, or some other way, we are here for a short time. Lord, please draw our attention to you; and may those who follow you be bold in comforting and challenging those who have lost loved ones, to turn to you. May you receive the glory for being the only one we can turn to in a tragedy like this. Amen."