Making Sense of the Senseless

In the wake of the Texas Church mass shooting, many folks are asking themselves the question, “Am I safe?” This very question is one that is asked when our lives become unsettled by some devastating event, such as terrorist attacks, mass shootings, natural disasters, or a water crisis. It was not too long ago that the West Nile virus was causing quite a stir. However, nothing hits home more than the senseless shooting of people in the act of worship. The true danger in the aftermath is fear and anger.

The act is senseless not because the people were worshipping. It is senseless, because they were in a peaceful gathering where violence makes absolutely no sense. It is impossible for us to get our head around such activities. In fact, outside of war killing make little sense. When little children and young people are involved it seems even more senseless. However, it does make sense to the one doing the shooting.

The one who commits the crime, pulls the trigger, seeks out his/her target, is certain that what they are doing makes sense. Something in the mind of the attacker has convinced them that what they are doing, ought to be done. No matter how irrational that individual is, they are acting within the realm of their own sense-making reality. Nevertheless, the majority population fails to find any logical reason that such shootings take place.

In the church, the logic (perhaps) is more easily defined. We live in a fallen world where sin and death work hand in hand. The first recorded act of murder happened as a result of worship. Cain’s murder of his brother over an offering makes no sense. It doesn’t make sense today, and it didn’t make sense then. In a very odd twist, God did not sentence Cain to death; instead, he sends him away from his community (a discussion that we will save for another time). Senseless acts have two things in common, they generate fear and anger.

Fear and anger have both a positive and negative effect on society.  With the positive, we generate boundaries out of fear that our children will get hurt. Positive anger, tells us that something is not right and leads us to protect the vulnerable. The negative side of fear leads people to build walls (physical and metaphorical). Fear can prevent us from doing the very things we need to do. Fear may lead us to prejudice, hatred, and anger. Anger, when it is unleashed often seek vengeance, it loses sight of mercy, and wants its pound of flesh. Anger, often results in other forms of violence.

Sunday’s mass shooting in a Texas Church should cause a certain level of fear and anger. As believers in Christ, we should make sure that these two impulses do not take god-like authority of our reason. Fear should push us toward God, not toward anger and violence. Anger should push us toward spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. In response to these horrible events, we must turn to God and seek his guidance. Fear and anger will threaten to undermine our faith in Jesus. Some will question God’s ability to protect his people.

Many questions will arise after this mass tragedy. Answers will not always satisfy. Nevertheless, as the Body of Christ, we are to respond as Christ is responding, not as the world responds. For our brothers and sisters in Texas and all those effected around the country, we are to mourn with them in their loss, lift them in prayer, and we must be prepared to share the Good News of Jesus all the more.

The solution to fear and anger is faith. We are to put our faith in the Triune God. Faith does not guarantee we will not be killed. Faith in God means that no matter what happens in this life, we trust God. The Psalter once said that some folks put their trust in horses and chariots (the police, military, weapons), but we put our trust in the Lord our God. For a little while, we will suffer these kinds of tragedies. That does not mean we ignore them and just let them happen. It means that they will come, but they will not last forever. The day is coming, and has now come, when senseless sin will be washed away, and the Kingdom of God will arrive in its fullness.

Today, as we mourn this tragedy in Texas, let us turn our hearts toward God. Let us, confess our fear and our outrage. Trust the Lord, for it is in Christ Jesus that we now find our hope, our peace, and our security. If we are called upon to suffer in this life, let us do so with the holiness of our Savior. May we like Jesus look to heaven and cry out, “Father, forgive them, they haven’t a clue what they are doing!”