It is difficult to find exactly what to say or think in the wake of a tragic national event. Some of us might find comfort in taking action, as if our activism can resurrect the innocent from death or prevent evil in the hearts of future men. Some of us might find comfort in trying to understand the mind of someone so depraved that they would take pleasure in robbing children of life. What comfort can there be? Is there anything that can make the hurting subside?
I, like many of you, was disturbed by the events which took place in Nashville earlier this week. There is so much we can not understand both in this world and the next. I tried to moderate how much I exposed myself to the story, but made the mistake of watching some bodycam footage from the brave men who rushed into the building to save the lives of innocent children. I was alright until, in one angle, you could see the blurred image of a small figure wearing a pretty pink shirt laying lifeless on the floor. I stopped what I was doing immediately and I prayed... because I didn't know what else to do.
I prayed for the survivors.
I prayed for the families.
I prayed for my son and daughter who will start school soon.
I prayed for my kids' future school staff and teachers.
I prayed for their classmates.
I prayed for would-be criminals that God would soften their hearts.
I just... prayed inaudible prayers for the ache my heart felt that couldn't quite be put into words.
What do you say? What do you pray? We're all told we're supposed to do something, so what do we do?
55 I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. 56 You heard my plea: Do not ignore my cry for relief. 57 You came near whenever I called you; you said, “Do not be afraid.” (Lamentations 3:55-57)
There are sermons upon sermons and studies upon studies which I could conduct explaining our emotional and spiritual responses in the midst of tragedy, but sometimes we just need to stop and lament. We lament the state of our world and the state of our nation. We lament the state of sin in the lives of the lost and the hate it often brings. We lament tragedy, death, and suffering which so often occurs in ways we can't understand.
In these moments, it is only natural that we want to feel "empowered". We want to flatter ourselves as a form of lesser-god, that if we only advocate for the correct legislation or the correct rhetoric that maybe we can finally undo the wrongs that have been committed. Alas, these efforts will yield, at best, temporary relief. Evil and sin will still reside in the hearts of men and horrid actions will continue to be committed for generations to come just as they have occurred for generations prior to our time. Sometimes all that we can truly do is stop... lay our burden down at the feet of Christ... and pray our lamentations.
God hears our prayers; it isn't just a slogan.
God is pained by our suffering.
God lifts us up in these moments and says "do not be afraid."
There will be time to debate policy and rhetoric, but do not deny yourself the opportunity to bring relief to your heart by appealing to the One more acquainted to pain and torment than any of us ever will be. Christ suffered and carried our burdens so that we wouldn't have to. Come, lay down your burdens, and spend some time resting your weary heart. Some will worship their politics, their legislation, their rights, and their opinions, but none of that can heal a broken heart.
Jesus, and only Jesus. He is all that will do and he is all that we need. Only Jesus.
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