Like so many, I have been shaken by the events at Virginia Tech. I cannot fathom the depth of hate and despair that must possess someone to enact violence against so many people. I can only surmise that this young man was beyond troubled and filled with self-possessed rage. I also cannot imagine the deep, deep grief and pain that the families of those lost must be experiencing. College is a place of sanctuary, often an idyllic existence that shelters students from the harsher reality of the "real world." On Monday, that idealism was shattered in Blacksburg. For 33 families, their worlds have forever changed. For a university community, their sanctity has been challenged and breached. For the rest of us, we have seen yet again that the presence of evil and violence is real. Our only recourse is to say that evil will not win. Violence will not steal the hope that we have in Christ. God's will for us to be the Body of Christ becomes even more pertinent in the face of tragedy. Death cannot win. Evil cannot prevail. Violence may rob our spirits and leave our souls scathed, but it cannot destroy the fact that Christ's love overcomes this world. He still says to us: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." A troubled, violent young man may have taken lives, but he cannot take away the hope we have in Christ Jesus, who promises to give us peace and eternity. Evil will try. But it cannot win. Ever.
Please pray for the families of those who died, pray for our colleges and universities, pray for Virginia Tech and the administration there that will undoubtedly come under scrutiny, and pray for the Korean community, which is afraid of backlashes against them because of the nationality of the gunman. Pray that none will occur and that we will instead come together in support and with peaceful remembrances of those lost. Pray for Christ's peace and comfort and strength. Pray for God's good love to overwhelm us all.
Please pray for the families of those who died, pray for our colleges and universities, pray for Virginia Tech and the administration there that will undoubtedly come under scrutiny, and pray for the Korean community, which is afraid of backlashes against them because of the nationality of the gunman. Pray that none will occur and that we will instead come together in support and with peaceful remembrances of those lost. Pray for Christ's peace and comfort and strength. Pray for God's good love to overwhelm us all.
