When tragedy strikes, we rally together as a community to help, show support, and love on whomever has been affected. The recent floods, a traumatic car accident, a debilitating diagnosis, these are all tragedies that have recently affected our community. As a pastor, and as a congregation, we spend a lot of time being present, praying, and coordinating care and relief.
What do we do when it’s not necessarily the tragedy, but instead, we know the person who inflicted the tragedy?
Last month I received the news alert on my phone of the shootings and murders in Minnesota. My instinctual reply was, “how tragic.” Then I said a quick prayer and continued to make breakfast. Later, reports identifying the shooter surfaced and I was stunned. I knew the man. We worked together 25 years ago. He was my supervisor for about a year until I received a promotion. We talked a lot about faith, family, church, leadership, and how to represent Jesus Christ in world and workplace that felt so devoid of faith in God. We wanted to be the lights on a hill and shining lights in the darkness.
In the lifetime between then and now, we’ve both found different paths in life. Our faith led us in different directions. While I’m still trying to make sense of it, and probably never will, it’s apparent Vance’s faith led him toward violence while mine has led me toward grace.
Violence has always been one of humanity’s greatest struggles. Examples from scripture and early Christian history: Cain murdered his brother Abel. King David raped Bathsheba then murdered her husband to cover it up. King Herod slaughtered countless infants in the Judean community. Nero tortured Christians for amusement.
Recently, news broke that Michael Tait (renown but now infamous Christian musician who sung in two of my favorite bands) had groomed, drugged, and sexually assaulted multiple young men and one young woman. And the band’s management were aware of his actions and covered them up. This makes me angry and sad.
How I respond, and how we can respond, bares a lot of resemblance to when any tragedy strikes. We remind ourselves, that this is not God’s will. God did not cause this. Yet, God promises to be with us through it. In fact, scripture informs us God mourns with us. (John 11:35, Psalm 34:18, Romans 8:26–27, 2 Corinthians 1:3–7)
While I pray that God will somehow use this tragedy for something good, right now I cannot comprehend how. In the meantime, I pray for God’s justice and reconciliation. And, I get to work.
I work to teach and remind us that violence is not the way because it is not God’s way. The last bit of violence God intended was wrought upon Jesus on the cross. This was only so that we could receive forgiveness for sin and be violent no more. Since violence is not the way of Jesus, I work to hold myself accountable, and encourage others to be accountable, to our words, actions, and policies that incite such violence.
Finally, I remind myself that while we wait for the day when Jesus returns, when there will be no more suffering or pain, we are not there yet. So, our call to be disciples who make disciples, our goal to become more like Jesus is more important than ever. This is our pursuit, to emulate the one who loves unconditionally, serves relentlessly, heals ambitiously, and offers hope continually . . . That is how we move forward.
Will you hold fast to the faith, hope, and love of Christ with me?
Grace and peace,
Daniel
