Yesterday, we watched a tragedy of immense proportions unfold in Orlando. This is not the first time something like this has happened and neither will it be the last. Every generation has that moment in time they will never forget where they were when they heard the news. As we look at the response of past generations to tragedy, there is much we can learn. Times like this offer a calling to us as individuals, the Church, and the nation.
A Call to Grieve
For some things, there are no words. For other things, there are no answers. Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 reminds us there is a time for every matter under heaven. There are times to weep and mourn. This is one of those times.
When we go back to the Scriptures, people put on sackcloth and ashes in times of national tragedy. I am not proposing sackcloth and ashes, but this is a time to pray, a time to weep, and a time to reflect on our sorrow. Recognize that innocence is lost.
Grief is not a bad thing. It is a necessary thing. The process of healing begins with grief. The world is not as it should be. The world is sick. Standing against the darkness, unity makes us stronger. And for all our differences, one thing we can unite in is our grief.
A Call to Repentance
We can blame what we will, but as long as there is sin in this world, there will be tragedies. There is no limit to covetousness, greed, rage, and idolatrousness. That sin is in me as much as it is in anyone else.
I didn’t pull the trigger, but I am part of the problem as much as I am part of the solution. We would all do well to realize that. Tragic moments bring out the best in us, but it also exposes the worst in us. We’ve all got blood on our hands. If you don’t believe me, look no further than the cross. If you were without sin, then Jesus would not have died for you.
Repentance is about change within me. It is not as much about changing others. True change will starts with my own heart (see Psalm 51:10–11).
As the day went on yesterday, I noticed a bitterness welling up inside of me. I was angry. But my anger was not directed at the shooter and his deed of darkness. The hostility inside of me was towards others and their response to the shooting. I felt the hand of God convicting me of that misdirected anger and to write this post.
Most of us are good at pointing out the sin in others. But we are often blind to our own sin. It takes some searching by going to places deep within we might rather not go to see our own unpleasant reality. I am not as right or as good as I make myself out to be.
A Call to Seek God
We rush to fix what is wrong because we want to maintain our illusion of control. The world tries to take comfort in proposing solutions to get that control back. We naturally want to make it better. We propose solutions for no guns or for more guns. We look who to blame – whether it is corrupted religion or inept politicians. But for all our posturing and grandstanding, not much changes.
In 2 Chronicles we are given some great guidance.
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV)
God is the healer. He is the Savior. He is the comforter. He is our provision. He is our everything.
When we reject God, we are left to our own helpless solutions. When we are faced with no answers, we force change if for nothing else, to make us feel better about having tried to do something.
Jesus says:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Instead of rushing to fix what we cannot fix, maybe we can seek and discover something amazing God is accomplishing. Some of the most terrible tragedies in the past served as catalysts for God’s incredible good.
Steve says
Phil
Amen my brother in Christ. I too was swelling with anger for the same reasons. I turned to the scriptures and Luke 6:37-42 talks about judging others and being concerned for a “speck” in our brother’s eye while we have a log (plank) in our own.
Salvation is through Christ. God is LOVE and we are commanded to Love one another. That’s everyone!!! The change needs to start from with in. And it starts with knowing our Lord!
Thank you for this. God bless you always.
– Steve
Danielle byrnes says
Steve and pastor phil… I completely agree.. I was sooo angry ..but it was also misguided.. But i couldnt figure out why..so reading this really helped ..thank u
Sharon Grizzle says
Well said Pastor Phil-
We are ALL sinners in need of forgiveness from our loving Father. And thankfully that is what we have, a LOVING Father. God is love! The lack of our God in this world equals a lack of love. Praying against the profound darkness in this world!
In His Name and for His Glory alone,
Sharon
Persida Rivera-Mendez says
Thank you so much for this post. I liked reading it. It helped me through this terrible moment in our history. God continue to bless you Pastor.
Greg Ricca says
Pastor,
Completely and perfectly hit the mark. I spent most of the day dizzy with anger at the hatred and the fanning flames brought on by this tragedy. No one mentions love, or God, when prescribing solutions, which is absurd. Thank you so much. Bless you.
Greg
Paula Laundrie says
Certainly needed your beautiful post. Thank you.
Lisa L. says
Thank you from Orlando. There is much hurt and sorrow in our city. This post was very helpful, and I will read it again and again in the coming days.
I also found Psalm 37 helpful — I read it many times in the days after 9/11: “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret – it only uses harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall in merit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicket shall be no more. Indeed, you will look diligently for his place, but it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”