It's More Than...

"God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. That's why we won't be afraid when the world falls apart..." Psalm 46:1-2

I didn't know about the mass shooting that happened in Orlando until lunch after services. When my friends at the lunch table started talking about it I didn't know what to think. This is a horrible tragedy, an abhorrent act of hatred, and yet the responses to this occurrence have been all over the place. This hatred has been met with much hatred for sure - but how that hatred has been directed has left me saddened and broken hearted. Some have used it to as a way to say that God used this shooter as a form of punishment for a sinful people. Others have clamored that the only way to end gun violence is to make guns more readily accessible for "the good guys." Others have posted pictures of gay people kissing for the sole intent that it would just make mad the shooter and others with the same hatred towards the LGBTQ community. Then others have purposely made this political with more pleas for stricter gun control.

My question now is: which is more depressing? The horrendous action that killed more than 50 of God's precious children (regardless of whether or not they are followers of Christ, they are still God's children), or the fact that those who pour out in righteous indignation can't seem for even one second stand in unity before ripping into one another by arguing over what is best between the polar opposite solutions to how to keep guns out of the hands of those who would inflict harm?

But it's more than gun control (or the lack of, however you view it). It's about a worldview that has glorified violence, whether it be violence to inflict terror or violence in the name of protection. Effectively, at it's core, violence is brought on by hate. This hate has taken on the form of more than mass shootings (or the plans to commit a murder on a large scale, as demonstrated by the Hoosier pulled over on his way to the LA Gay Pride Parade heavily armed). Just this morning I learned on my way to work of a 15 year old girl who had did not realize a nude photo had been taken of her until it had been Snapchat'd across her school. Not knowing how to deal with this form of emotional violence (you can call it cyber bullying, it is still very much violence), she killed herself at home in her bathroom.

It's more than gun control and bullying - it's hatred. It's a blatant disregard to love your neighbor as yourself as Jesus has shared with us as a must-do. This comes out in the form of violence, of brutality, of bullying, of manipulation of an individual or group, of the refusal to work together in unity and demand schism over one issue, stereotyping a whole people group (religious or racial) based on the actions of a relative few... effectively it is the exclusion of the "other" and this is not what God had in mind.

At God's core is community: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together to bring about wonderful change and transformation in the midst of a broken world. Three very distinct persons coming together, and instead of working against each other, being thankful for one another and the gifts that they bring to the table. We were made in God's image, and this fact means that we were made to be in relationship with one another - in community with other people, even those with whom we may disagree. God recognized with Adam that it was not good for him to be alone, so Eve was created as more than just a "helpmate" but a companion, someone whom Adam could love and be loved in return. Two very different people and yet they were in community, and remained in community with one another even after they had been kicked out of the Garden of Eden (remember, Adam blamed Eve for making him eat the fruit? I can only imagine the hurt incurred, especially since this would have been the first time anybody blamed someone else for their own actions and choices.)

It's more than any particular and singular issue: it's about hate in all its forms.

 So what can we do about it? First, we can pray. We can pray for all those who are grieving the loss of loved ones due to this hatred that has been allowed to become a part of our society. We can pray for those who are recovering physically from their wounds in these tragic acts and pray that they might find emotional and spiritual healing in the wake of them. We can pray for ourselves, that we might have the courage to stand up against the systemic hatred which has festered in our society towards any group of people - LGBTQ, racism, religious groups, etc...

Second, we can be Christ's hands and feet towards the marginalized. We can treat our brothers and sisters who are LGBTQ, Muslim, gun control, anti-gun control, other denominational Christians, etc... like the human beings they are! Like the precious children of God that they are because they all have been made in God's image at birth as well!

Father God, forgive us for our trespasses against our fellow human beings. We have forgotten that our actions of hatred have actually been hatred as we have been told that bullying and even shootings are normal events. Help us to realize that these are not natural things and bring us back to what you have commanded of us: to love you, Lord, with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, as well as to love our neighbors as ourselves. Through your Holy Spirit, strip us of our sinful desires and create in us a new person emulating Christ in which Your love overflows and affects all those we come across, regardless of whatever people group they might belong to. Amen.