Four miles from my home a shooting took place. A tragedy of great proportions. In an instant, six lives ended. In an instant, six families will never be the same. Just like that May 6, 2023 will be remembered with tears and heartache.
Nobody could have known what the day would bring. We don’t think in those terms. We don’t want believe our malls, schools, or parks are war zones. We don’t want to believe that evil is lurking just four miles away. But it is.
I don’t want to debate guns and won’t. People always want to run to their preferred platforms and grandstand off a tragedy. Let’s just mourn for a bit. Let’s just grieve the loss of sacred lives. Let’s just wallow in the hurt that so many are drowning in as a result of this tragic loss.
Brokenness is everywhere. And every time it rears it’s ugly head it looks different. The Hopelessness that weighs heavy on so many shows up in the most unimaginable ways. And then, one warm spring day, less than four miles from home, a despondent person with inconsolable anguish escapes in retaliation towards a world that has failed him.
What went wrong? What warped his mind with such vengeance? How was evil rage the only escape he could find? Deep questions that should be pondered before the blood stains the floors.
There’s a spiritual darkness looming throughout the land. A real enemy that is bent on destruction. Demons that study and watch us are as real as the air we breathe. They are always at work. They are plotting and scheming creating confusion and chaos to accomplish their evil intent. And once again, they succeed.
If only people could embrace the divine power Jesus Christ. He really is our only hope. Evil is evil. And it is everywhere. And no law will stop the prevailing enemy that lives within. Our innate being has a propensity towards wickedness. That’s why we desperately need a Savior.
After a day of sweet fellowship and crazy fun with my church family, we heard the tragic events at the popular outlets. Once again, calamity strikes in the most awful way. And we all pause. Our hearts ache for now. Debates will reignite. Shrines and memorials will be built. People will ponder the events of May 6, 2023. And then, life will move on until the next tragedy.
But it’s closing in on all of us. Evil is moving closer and closer to all of our doorsteps. And there’s nothing we can do to stop it. Well, there is just one Way. There is just one hope. My prayer is those who are lost will find Him. I pray we see the urgency because the radius of evil is getting smaller.
So tonight, I feel gutted for these victims and their families. I lift my heart in prayer for all involved. And yet, I feel a loss for how to pray. But He knows. He sees. And He too grieves along with us. Please join us as we pray for our community.