Like so many others, I've had very conflicted emotions about the horrible school shooting in Connecticut. I hate hearing about what happened yet I'm glad it wasn't even more tragic. I want to watch as much of the news coverage as possible yet I wish I'd never heard about the events.
One thing I've heard several people say over the past few days is that they just can't seem to, "get over it." They can't get over what happened. I know how they feel and what they mean but it dawned on me yesterday that maybe that's the point we should take away from these events. Maybe we're not supposed to "get over it." It's now a part of us and our lives. We have to figure out what good can come about as a result. Instead of getting over it, what if we focused on what it could do for us?
Maybe it's an opportunity for us to be even thankful for our blessings; mainly our families and specifically our children. Maybe it's a chance for us to begin cherishing the time we have with our children even more than we do. I know as well as anyone how easy it is to get caught up in the day to day routine. Maybe (hopefully) the love we have for our families will manifest itself more.
Instead of getting over these events, perhaps we should remember how fleeting life truly is. James of course tells us this in his epistle. I think those of us who have reached mid-life realize how quickly the years pass. Unfortunately 20 of these shooting victims never even had the chance to live beyond their first few years. We have no guarantees. It may be a cliche but truly we should live as if there's no tomorrow. Appreciate the time we have, make the most of it and focus on the things that truly matter. As Ecclesiastes 12:31 states, "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole purpose of man.
If these events remind us that we need to focus on God's plan for us and the salvation that awaits us, then as painful as the past few days have been, it's been time well spent. Christ will return to earth. He will call the saints home to Heaven. This world will be destroyed and the lost will spend eternity with Satan in Hell. Will we renew our focus on the will of God? Will we use this opportunity to rededicate ourselves to His service? If we are to take good away from this tragic event, we should focus on what John told us in Revelation 21:3. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Amen.
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