When hope and trust is all we have...

In my son Zachary's and my initiation into scouting's Order of the Arrow we were taken on a blindfolded trust walk out into the middle of the woods where we would need to craft our own shelter, and in complete silence provide for our evening and morning care and needs with our pocket knives and a couple of matches.  We wouldn't know a whole lot about where we were just that around noon the next day we would be returned to camp. It was a good model of what life sometimes throws at us.

School shootings are becoming all too frequent and common a matter these days. Children, support staff, teachers, administrators, and emergency responders all become innocent victims at the at the hands of angry, psychologically impaired people filled with hatred for one thing or another. And there is no explanation. Motive means very little. Everyone is angry about something but few, truly some of the worst of humanity, feel the need to hurt others to feel better about themselves.

Even worse, so many seem to willing to end their lives doing such abominable things, taking the roll of coward even further; robbing those left behind of any sense of justice. We're left hanging, in the silent aftermath of tragedy, not understanding, not knowing how or if we can move forward. And we wait, trusting that in time we might be delivered from the senseless feeling of abandonment.

Responses vary.  The progressive media accuses conservatives of forcing these actions on the oppressed and dispossessed.  The conservative media blames progressives for de-funding the police, insufficient sentencing of criminals or other such matters.

But in the center of it all is a group of people mourning, oftentimes with no hope for justice.  Families are torn apart. Neighborhoods are left feeling vulnerable. Emergency responders lose hope...

So what are we to do? 

First and foremost as believers, we do not grieve as those who have no hope.  Amidst our grief and frustration, we trust.  We trust in our God, the Maker of Heaven and earth.  We trust that these actions will not go unanswered.  We trust that there is grace and mercy for those who seek it.  We trust that He is working all things (good and bad) together for the good of those who love Him.

We remember that He Himself has experienced the same rejection, the same hatred, the same mocking, the same violence, and even the same death. And He willingly suffered this for us, showing us that not even death has the final say.

GOD IS ABLE!

These are NOT empty words.  It is the essence of our faith.  It is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  

When there is no answer, no possible reasonable explanation, we must trust that our God, exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think...will provide as He alone can, for those whose lives have become such a mess, for those who suffer the grievous hatred, and those of us who carry them both before the cross...praying Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus!  

This is what sets the believer apart. We do not lose hope! We trust Him. We know He's coming back for us...