DARK NIGHTS

(NOTE:  This article appeared in a July 2012 edition of "The Piedmont Citizen." Tragic how some thoughts have to be constantly revisited due to people not learning the lessons of the past. I pray that somehow, someway the troubled mindsets that lead one to the darkest conclusions of lashing out in gun violence will cease. This isn't anti-gun, anti-gun control or anything an extreme position wants to exploit.)

The tragic shootings at the midnight showing of “The Dark Night Rises” were a jolt to the system for many. At this point, the initial shock has worn off and society is trying to process the why’s and how’s of this act. Currently there seems to be no other clues or evidence that this was nothing much more than a random act of pure evil by an unstable mind.

That doesn't keep the media talking heads and others from trying their best to assign blame or piggyback certain agendas to the shootings. Everyone asks “How did this happen?” Acts of violence like this often forces people to consider things a lot more seriously and soberly. If you have a chance to offer any opinions on this (or any large scale tragedies), remember some concepts from God’s word that might help to add positive thoughts and opinions to those who desperately need them.

1. Don’t join the rush to politicize tragedy. Politicians love to seize any opportunity to score points for their side and assign blame for all of society’s ills on the other side. When the leaders of the Jews were asking Jesus who was to blame concerning some tragedies of their day, Jesus replied “…do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:4–5.) Tragedies such as the Aurora shootings are more about the evil of Satan’s influence on society, not political haggling over issues.

2. Don’t rush to make religious points about the tragedy. Some fall into the trap of saying any kind of tragedy is God’s “holy anger” on mankind. There are some religious groups who are praising the shooter!  God says in Ezekiel “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live” (Ezekiel 33:11.) God will not use a wrong to make a right. We are told as God’s people “…judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful” (James 2:12.)

3. Instead, do offer messages of peace. “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18.) God and His righteousness should be presented as part of the solution, not part of the problem. God takes no delight in tragedy. It happens because of the presence of sin and evil in the world. The beatitudes in Matthew 5 speak volumes about the mindsets we need to prevent, and overcome tragedy.

It can probably best be summed up in Matt. 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”