Hope in crisis

When tragedy strikes, many ask "Why would a loving God allow this to happen?" I heard this from many just after the Denver shootings occurred.

It is a complicated answer for non believers, and so let me put it this way. What would be different if God wasn't in the picture? Shootings would still be. Sorrow still is. You see, God is not here to help us avoid sorrow. Sorrow is the cause of Sin, and since we are all guilty of sin, sorrow will always be so long as we are in this world. The questions should not be "why would God allow this?" The question is "what is God going to do through this?"

So, to any nonbelievers out there that might be reading this, when we take God out of the equation nothing changes except the hope that God provides despite it. Now, believers. This is where it gets more meaningful.

As a Christian, we believe that God sent his only son to die on the cross. We believe that Jesus Christ was God's son incarnate and we believe that Jesus walked a blameless sinless life. We believe that Jesus suffered a horrible torturous death on a cross-a gruesome and unnecessary violent act only to take our place in death so that he could atone for our sins so that we could reunite with God in Heaven. Jesus dies innocent, free of sin. If Jesus had to endure such a horrible tragedy, why would ANY of us think that we get to skate through life with nothing terrible happening in our own lives? DO we think we are better than Jesus? Tragedy happens because sin happens. Sometimes someone's sin overbears another taking someone's life, virginity, happiness, peace, etc.

The question to ask once this occurs in our life is not "Why?" But "What." Jesus' death was conquered miraculously three days later. He rose again, providing hope to all us sinful people. His death and resurrection, provided a way to eternal life in Heaven. Whether you believe that or not isn't the point. Christian's believe this, and thus this provides hope in our life, despite the sorrows that come with life. So therefore the question we ask God is "What Lord do you want me to learn from this? What good will come out of this?"

 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:26-28