I wanted to use my blog this morning to share some
thoughts on the shootings at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, FL. Our national government has made three
statements concerning the shootings.
First, that it is not an act of Muslim Terrorism (even going so far as
to block out large sections of the 911 call to remove all references of Islam
and terrorism). Second, that this is a
call for increased homosexual rights (I think current law makes all people
equal, what more is there to give?).
Third, that this is a call for increased gun control (I could argue just
the opposite – besides, had he survived, he would have faced hundreds of
charges already. He wouldn’t have let
one more charge of illegal gun possession stand in the way of his 72 virgins. His goal was to become a martyr by killing
infidels. He would have found a gun, or
used some other weapon).
I’m sure it’s obvious by now that I don’t agree with
any of those statements. So what can we
glean from this shooting that will help us in our life of faith. Let me suggest the following…
First, let me make it clear that this was a horrible
and senseless tragedy. Horrible and senseless
tragedies should be seen as reminders that we can’t know the date or the time
of our demise. They should be reminders
that we need to make sure that we’re right with God now, before something
tragic happens.
Jesus was fairly silent on tragic events, but there is
a glimpse in the opening verses in Luke 13.
Apparently, Pilate had several people killed while they were making a
sacrifice to God. Jesus asked the
disciples, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the
other Galileans because they suffered this way?
I tell you, no! But unless you
repent, you too will all perish.” Then
He brought up another tragedy that apparently had recently occurred, a tower in
Siloam collapsed, killing eighteen men.
Again, Jesus asked, “Do you think they were more guilty than all the
others living in Jerusalem? I tell you,
no! But unless you repent, you too will
all perish.”
Jesus seems to be saying that tragedy does not just come
to sinners, it comes to everyone. And
unless we get right with God before it comes, we could be caught up in it and
perish. So tragedy, even the tragedy in
Orlando, is a call to get right with God, because we never know when the
tragedy will strike.
Second, horrible and senseless tragedies should be a call
for the church to respond to the hopelessness around us. Tragedy can add to the hopeless feelings
people experience. But as Christians, we
have a source of our strength, and a renewed hope through Jesus Christ. In light of this tragedy in Orlando, our
neighbors need to know that there is hope!
That all is not lost. That there
is a God who sits on the throne. And
while we may not understand why this tragedy happened, we do know that God is
in control.
Third, this is a call for believers to love the lost. It’s love that will bring sense out of
senselessness. We cannot begin to
understand how evil drives people to do horrible things. But we know the love of God. Show that love to others, be known for your
love, and others will see God in you.
Even in times of tragedy.
