When I found out what happened, I was driving home from Virgina for my Christmas Break. It was unreal to see Fairfield County, the place I've lived my whole life, on national news. I knew the places that were being shown on TV because I had been there myself. I couldn't believe that something so horrific could happen so close to me.
I was talking with one of my best friends after attending a vigil in my town the other night. We are both still in shock that this has happened, but at the same time, we both have this feeling that God is up to something (as He always is). What are the odds that something so tragic happens in one of most unchurched and liberal areas? What are the chances that this tragedy happened in my home county, only 20 minutes away? I know that God has a purpose for this. Its no secret that New England, and especially Fairfield County, is extremely closed off to the gospel. Could this be what breaks the hard surface of that resistance? Could it be that God had to use something to break our hearts so that this county can finally invite Him in?
Today on Christmas, there were 26 families that had unopened gifts under their tree. 26 families who will never look at Christmas in the same way. 26 adults and children who are being remembered this season, instead of being enjoyed with.
But it can't end here. Darkness and sadness can't win here. We can't just wallow in the darkness of this event and let the grief take over. But we can't just pass over this and forget what happened.
That's why I really think there couldn't have been a better time for this event to have happened then during Christmas. Yes, Christmas means presents, and special music, and decorations. But Christmas means so much more than that now. Christmas means that there is hope.
Hope means that there is something else to expect rather than our current circumstance. Its the feeling of trust that there is more to happen. Hope is relying on someone or something else to save us.
I actually went up to Newtown the other night, and I was blown away by everything that people have done to try and bring hope on their own. There were mountains and mountains of teddy bears. So many flowers that I could smell their aroma from five feet away. And thousands of hand written posters, banners, cards, and letters. There were streets filled with these gifts to bring the families and the town a little bit of hope.
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." - Hebrews 6:19
The only hope that there is for this world is Jesus. He came to save the world from the sinfulness of ourselves. He defeated death, so in Him, there is life. Death doesn't have to be the end here.
If these families don't embrace that truth, then what hope can they have? That's my prayer for the families affected by this tragedy. Let them have hope in Jesus this Christmas.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13
No comments:
Post a Comment