YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN

My dad taught me several things growing up, one of which was this little gem, “You better not ever start a fight… but if you find yourself in one, you better be the one to end it.” Now I admit my dad was no Dr. Phil but he had his reasons. He wanted me to be safe. He taught me how to defend myself and how to stand up for others as well when needed. Lucky for me (and him) I didn’t get into too many brawling matches (as long as you don’t count Middle School).

But what are we to do as parents when the trouble comes automatically? This week, the victims at Virginia Tech didn’t have a chance to stand up for themselves; they didn’t get the opportunity to end the fight. They weren’t looking for evil… evil found them.

What causes people like Cho Seung-Hui, Charles Roberts (Amish Schoolhouse), and Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold (Columbine High School) to do things like this? Should we be surprised as Christians at the decay of the world around us? How do we respond when people ask us, “Where is God in all of this?” Do you how to answer or do you just shrug and offer religious platitudes?

I believe we must walk a fine line between not being able to understand God’s perfect plan and yet fully knowing that nothing takes God by surprise! God did not wake up this morning shocked at what happened… He knew it would happen long before anyone else.

Daniel 9:14 tells us “…the Lord our God is righteous in everything He does.” We would be justified to include “He is also righteous in everything He allows to happen.”

Please take time today to pray for the families of all involved in this tragedy. And use this as an opportunity to teach your kids about evil… it is very real!