As I walked my four year old son
through a metal detector at school this morning, I noticed a little girl about
his age crying while they searched her bag since she set off the device – this was
all new to them. I tried to answer
Ephraim’s questions to ease his mind about this whole new experience, but I
couldn’t help feeling a bit uneasy myself as little boys and girls passed
through these ominous machines in the name of safety and security. The teachers and staff were doing their best
to calm any newfound fears, and yet there is something inherently wrong with this
whole scenario. We should not live in a world
where small children are targets and life is so easily destroyed.
I understand our deep desire to
protect these precious gifts – our children, our future. Especially, since we were confronted last
week with the reality that we live in a dark and broken world. Yet despite all of our best efforts, our greatest
fears may be realized, whether by a random act of senseless violence, a rare
disease, or a tragic accident that which we value the most in this world can be
taken in an instant. Life is
fragile. Life is uncertain. Life is precious.
And in the wake of such senseless
evil, we spend a great deal of time and energy trying to make some sense of it
all. Investigators are digging through
every scrap of evidence they have in an attempt to find a motive – “a reason”. We all want to know “why”.
The truth is that we will never make
sense of evil – it is by very nature senseless.
Our ancient narrative has named it sin and we know that its wages are
death. Yet we search for some comfort in
reason – if we just know “why” then maybe we can cope. Maybe we can prevent… maybe we’ll feel just a
little bit safer sending our kids off to school. This is our human drive – to understand, to
control, to protect. But in this dark
world – we will never fully understand, we cannot completely control, and we
haven’t the power to protect in all circumstances. We can only trust and pray.
On another dark night, as the cross
overshadowed Him, Jesus told His disciples: “I
have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you
will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John
16:33) We can take comfort in the fact,
as Marilyn Denson often reminds me, “It won’t be like this in heaven.” And we read: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’
or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He
who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said,
“Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation
21:4-5)
His is our only peace, comfort, and
light in this dark world. May His light
shine on you, in you, and through you this week! Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
