News feeds are filled with notifications about the tragic events occurring in Parkland, FL. Go here if you are unaware of these events.
In the wake of these events, people rush to give their opinions. Almost mechanically, the left cries for tighter guns control laws and regulations to appease our conscience with the thought that we tried as hard as we could. In the same fashion, the right points out the fact that the attack happened to a mostly unarmed defenseless place. Their remedy is more heavily armed guards or the allowance for teachers to be armed etc.
I am speaking to Christians with what follows but I hope that all people can benefit.
While there is certainly a place for analysis of the events and action to help mitigate attacks from happening, there is a far more pressing issue. There are now hundreds of family members who have just lost a loved one or a loved one is injured.
As Christians we are called to mourn with those who mourn. We must pause and remember the real people attached to this event. Real people with real grief. An I-told-you-so attitude does nothing to comfort someone who teenager was just shot and killed.
Be slow to speak. Quick to listen. Remember that we are called to have compassion. Put the analytics on pause for a bit.
Why? Because the real problem isn’t guns laws or bullets. The problem is that every person on earth is desperately lost in their sin. Everyone needs the saving freedom offered through trusting in Jesus. It’s all about Jesus. Jesus died on the cross so that sinners could be freed from the penalty, power, and presence of sin through trusting in Him. Laws or bullets never changed anyone’s heart-only Jesus can do that.
Matthew 12:20 ESV — a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;