By Gina Caswell Kelly
Tragedy. Such a tough word. Such a tough experience. We have experienced tragedy in our community in recent days. Tragedy that is so hard to even begin to understand. The truth is, it is without understanding. A young life was taken from us. One just on the edge of adulthood. Looking at graduation from high school and then on to college and wherever his dreams were taking him. He got up that morning and went to school. His family likely hugged him and said good-bye, without much of a thought. He had his last day at school. His friends had their last interaction with him. He came home and got ready for a banquet. I am guessing he was wearing the blue and gold of FFA. Again his family said good-bye and we will see you in just a little while. Only they didn’t.
We have no way to understand why these things happen. We have no way of understanding why a young life with so much promise was taken so soon. The truth is, we are not supposed to understand. Not on this side of heaven anyway. We had a discussion in Sunday school Sunday about how hard it is to understand the things God allows into our lives. And that is the fact. God, who is totally capable of stopping events and tragedies from happening, allows these things into our lives. I have to believe His heart hurts as He sees events unfolding. I have to believe that He has tears rolling down His cheeks as He watches hurting parents, brothers, sisters, friends, teachers. I have to believe that He wants so badly to stop it all. But God knows. He knows the purpose of all these things.
As Christians, which this young man’s family are, faith is the basis of all that we are. Our faith is what carries us through even those things we don’t understand. As tragedy comes into our lives, our faith should grow strong. As tragedy swirls around us, we learn to step up and reach out to those who are experiencing unfathomable agony. As tragedy engulfs a community, it is up to God’s people to be there. Standing there, perhaps with no words. Just standing there to lift them up.
A life dedicated to serving God is not without hurt and pain. Giving your heart to God never guarantees a life without sorrow. But a life given to God does give you that promise that you will never go alone through the sorrows of life. You will never stand by yourself. You will never carry that burden alone. God promises He will walk by our side. He promises us He will carry us. He promises He will strengthen us. He promises there will be others to surround us and share our grief and sorrow.
Yes, the hurt is there. The pain is almost unbearable for most of us, and feels absolutely unbearable for his sweet family. But in the midst of the pain, there stands the Christ. The Son of God. The Holy Spirit. And that, my friends, makes the difference.
