There really are no good words to say when unexpected tragedy strikes. When you hear about things like what just happened in Boston or the various school shootings that seem to have spiked this past year, it’s hard not to be discouraged. It’s hard to make sense of something like this. This is stuff that happens in other countries right?
When 9/11 happened I was at Junior college and just caught a glimpse of the news as I walked out the door. I remember thinking it looked like a scene out of Die Hard, I half expected John McLane to come on the screen and say “welcome to the party pal” but he didn’t and our nation mourned a huge loss that day. I think that was the day that some of realized that tragedy is just a phone call away. There are no guarantees, that can be a frightening thought.
Tragedy often leads to introspection. Why would someone do this? Why would God allow this? Isn’t He supposed to protect us from things like this? What would I do if this were to happen to me? It can be a very difficult time that shakes the foundation that we walk on so proudly. I don’t know that there are easy answers to those questions and truth be told if I knew someone who was hurt in the blast this could be a totally different blog. Here then are my reflections as a Christian. My views may differ from yours, but this is how I understand a tragedy like this.
We live in a broken world, I think the evidence of this (sin) is all around us, though many wouldn’t call it that. For that reason, when people with evil in their hearts unleash it on those around them I am not shocked. Angry? Yes. Brokenhearted? Without a doubt. But not shocked. We live in a broken world with broken people enacting their brokenness upon others. Today this hit home for us in Boston.
I’m not going to waste space on here arguing whether or not this proves God is unloving or inactive or doesn’t care. I’m just going to share two verses that have been helpful for me in the past and put down the rest of my thoughts in a prayer. I would encourage you to pray as well because whether you or I can do anything from home I believe in a God who can give peace where no peace is found (Philippians 4:6-7) and can bring comfort from tragedy (Genesis 50:20).
I pray the Boston community would rally around and lift each other up in this time of grief and that surrounding cities and states would send aid if needed. I pray that the Church in Boston would bring comfort to families of victims and that they would serve their communities as you served those in need around you. Help us all as we deal with the questions tragedies like this raise. Give us understanding beyond ourselves and hold us close to you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Love,
Bryce
