For such a time as this...

This morning when I arrived at the gym, in my blurry sleep haze, I caught a glimpse of the TV screen overhead. I blinked a few times to focus on the ticker at the bottom... another shooting, this time a bible study.

Still a bit foggy, those words "bible study" whisk me back in time to my youth group. I see the scene play out at my childhood church in one of the upper rooms where we regularly spent hours talking, singing, praying with and for each other. I see my youth group friends, I can still name them, see their faces, hear their voices as they laugh, read or sing.

Enter a stranger. At that point in our lives it would have been just another new person to welcome and open our arms to make them feel welcome. Now I see it in a different light. Now I watch the hands for any jerky or sudden movements. What is in the backpack or the waist band? This scene is forever changed in my mind.


For the next few days and weeks, we will hear the phrase "hate crime" shouted from the rooftops. My question to you...

Isn't murder always a hate crime?

Regardless of religion or skin color, the shooter decided to take the life of someone he viewed as worthless, irrelevant or offensive. I would like to offer a reminder, ALL LIVES MATTER.

This morning heaven is a little bit brighter because our brothers and sisters in the spirit are now seeing the face of God. The earth is a bit darker because evil inflicted pain and suffering yet again.

I do not wish to engage in speculation about motive. We may never know.

"It was an act of mad men." This line (from one of my favorite TV shows!) rings with truth. It was nobody's fault but the shooter. An act of a mad man. There is no need to search for a line or reason or a logical explanation. It is an act of madness.

I will end with this call to action: Instead of participating in the speculation or accusation, today, hug your children. Tell your loved ones how much you love and cherish them. Close your eyes and thank God for another day. Then open your eyes and shine a little brighter in this darkened world.

God is still God. He is still in control. His promises are true every morning. His love will never be dimmed by the acts of mad men.