Virginia Tech. & Easter

Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!

Perhaps these are the best words for this time and yet the hardest to say. We all were shocked yesterday when we heard of the terrible act at Virginia Tech. But, you know what? Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

"How can you say that?" people will ask. "If Christ is risen then where was he on Monday, in the dorms when the first shots rang out, and later in the classroom building? Where was Christ?"

To all of the victims and the victims families: God was there, but I do not know why God did not stop the shootings. Still the answer remains: "Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!" If Christ had not arisen we would have no hope and we would see these senseless acts as yet another another way in which our culture is going to "hell in a hand basket." But Christ is arisen and He is sitting at the right hand of God. Having once and for all taken away our sin cleansed and made us clean that we may have hope.

In times like these we think about our priorities and evaluate what is really important to us. Where do things like money and prestige fall on that list? Where does family and friends fall? As human beings we are made to be in relationship with one another. To come along side those who are hurting or depressed. We are to come along side those who are having bad luck with respect to job and family. We always want to be around the person who has it all together and we forget that Christ died for those who are having a tough time as well as for those who have it all together.

Because Christ is arisen Easter is made all the more powerful. Christ's death and resurrection is sure and true and perhaps your own priorities have not been where they should be. Perhaps the tragedy at Virginia Tech. has caused some "feathers to be ruffled" a bit. You see the truth that God was there at Virginia Tech. as he was with you when you heard the news. The priority becomes clear in that God needs to be on that list of priorities and above all else. Accept Christ and his power over your sin. He is greater then your sin and He is greater then the events that happened at Virginia Tech.

Perhaps now is the time to take some time out and pray. Pray for your own priorities and that God will set them straight. Pray for those who are still in the hospital, and for the college as a whole that healing and restoration may occur. Pray for the families and friends of the victims that they may be comforted, and don't forget to pray for the family of the alleged shooter. They are probably feeling like outcasts and they need our prayers too.

Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!