The evil crept up from behind and struck us without warning. It had happened again to our horror. A troubled youth’s rage went supernova and the guns in his hands did his bidding. At this moment, it could seem like his diabolical plan has worked. Adam Lanza chose to sow death. He selfishly left the families in Newtown with the burden of having to reap the pain that goes hand and hand with the culture of violence propagated in this nation. Insult is added to injury as these families are forced to mourn the loss of innocence on the world stage under very bright lights. The issue of gun control is the hot topic of debate. Everyone is galvanized, but it is much too late to save “our babies” and their teachers. America has been misled into having the wrong discussion.
Guns do not kill people. People kill people. I reject everything for which the NRA stands. I advocate background checks for everyone wishing to buy a gun. The process should be so invasive as to cause most people to refuse exposure to that type of scrutiny, resulting in a general lack of initiative. I believe every red-blooded Americans should make the effort to abstain from sports like hunting and target shooting; it is a worthy endeavor if it spares just one child’s life. But, there is a sort of wisdom in this saying which seems condescending and callous at first glance. It raises the specter of nature versus nurture. History proves humans are the ultimate predators. Quarry falls at our feet because of pride, greed, or outright malice. We will use our bare hands if no weapons are available. This sickness in our society must be destroyed at the root. This is not about pointing fingers. Unfortunately, mental illness can be inadequately addressed or outright missed; that is a discussion for the medical community and law makers. I am talking about the video games, TV shows, movies, and the trending comments on social media which glorify being cruel and sadistic.
We should be talking about one nation under God. I begin with a prayer for the families of Newtown. May God take them into an embrace that shields them, consoles them, and takes what was meant for evil and make it good. The fallen at Sandy Hook Elementary School will be honored when meaningful and last changes come about because of their sacrifice. Americans must see the most troubling fact is that Adam Lanza WANTED to tear a wide, gaping hole through the collective hearts of Newtown by striking out at young children. For whatever reasons, he gave into the destructiveness of a vengeance shall be mine mindset and rejected the always productive love thy neighbor as thy self attitude. Guns became his weapons of choice only because they were readily available. But, there were many other ways a human time bomb can wreak havoc.
Violent behavior is in our nature, but our limitless capacity for love and kindness can be nurtured. Submission to a vision greater than ours will be the first step. God’s nature must be adopted by us wholeheartedly. Prayer in our homes, in our schools, and in our hearts is the answer to bringing us into fellowship with each other and God. Americans begin to reach for a higher standard of living when they become committed to seeking God’s face in moments of prayer. The bar is raised when each one of us, young or old, fights to maintain serenity and an open heart when conflict arises; this resolve becomes even more important, in the darkest moments, when the battle is an internal one. We all can become better women and men by spending more time in His presence.
The children of this great nation deserve to have a future full of promise. A changed society is what we adults must offer them. It is foolhardy and dangerous to think stronger gun control laws, increased awareness of mental health issues, or even good intentions will be enough to usher in our salvation. I am not naïve. There always will be someone who is too far outside the bell curve and unable to conform to the accepted rules of society. Violence will erupt even in the most prayerful of societies. Monstrous and excessively brutal event like the massacre in Newtown get our attention, rightly so. Yet, the little foxes ruin the vine as well. Every day people all over America die at the hands of another. The majority of the perpetrators are not mentally ill. Some use guns and some do not. There are children and adults who are standing at a crossroads, right now, desperate and enraged but not completely lost. They are listening to the voices around them and inside them. Can we even begin to hope a majority of them are hearing words of peace? No. That gift only will come with prayer and fasting.
Psalm 34:17 NIV
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
We can call upon the Lord at any time. God hears us and provides relief every time because He is a kind and merciful. However, should we be calling out in desperation or with the expectation of tapping into God's power? We are promised dominion over everything on this earth; this is a free and loving gift offered to all of the faithful. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith (1 John 5:4 NLT). So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16 NLT). We must approach the throne of God knowing that He has already provided the resolution to our problems.
The trust we have in God is reflected in the words we use to convey our requests. The Word must be our battle cry. The people called by His name must not send cries full of feared defeat up to Heaven. It is best for God and His most precious creations to share a moment of being on one accord; we must be like our heavenly Father and speak those things that be not into existence. As the faithful, we are carried through the storm by faith. We will not be discouraged by the mountain of trouble that stands before us. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 NIV). Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires (Psalm 37:4 NLT). For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right (Psalm 84:11 NLT). These are words that speak of impending victory.
God wants us to cry out for help at our darkest moments. But, let those cries be a sweet aroma to the Lord. God should hear honor and praise in our cries to Him. I would like to think that He finds pleasure in hearing the words He sent to save and heal us take flight and return to Him full of hope and confidence. So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:11). The people called by His name should incorporate the Word into our cries for help. We shed the feelings of being victimized. We acknowledge the privilege that comes with being victors. We become warriors because all trials and tribulations are overcome by using the Word as a weapon of mass destruction against anything that would distract us from walking in our God-given peace and joy.
