This past week, the country stood still as we witnessed, yet, another tragedy rooted in hatred, racism, and division. This week, services will be held for the victims of the shooting that took place at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, that claimed the lives of 9 faithful people that have become known as the Charleston 9. It’s crazy to believe that we live in a society that doesn't even respect God enough to keep violence out of His house. As hurt as I am by this senseless act of murder and terrorism, I’m not writing on that today… I’m writing on the response to this act.
I once heard a saying that said something along the lines of “Life isn’t about what happens to you, it’s about how you react to what happens to you!” This has stuck with me because I honestly believe its true… things happen. Good things...Bad things…Things that we don’t know how to categorize just yet. All there… Things happen! BUT! What determines the type of person you are is how you is you respond. When you’re met with difficulties, is quitting the first thing that runs through your mind? When you’re hurt, do you go to extreme measures to try and inflict the same amount of pain on another person? If you’re scared, do you wallow behind your fear and play it safe? When things are going well for you, do you gloat? Perhaps you stop praying and seeking God as much as you do when you are in desperate need for a miracle?
Your reactions reveal your character. They expose who you really are! And this past week, I saw amazing reactions to this massacre from the families of the victims. I can’t imagine what these people are feeling. I mean…the victims left for church to never return home again! These people lost their loved ones in a violent way. Most people would have a harsh, bitter and hateful response. But the families of the victims instead said: “We forgive you, my family forgives you.” and “we would like for you to take this opportunity to repent…” One lady who survived the shooting said “"As we said in Bible Study, we enjoyed you, but may God have mercy on you.”
WOW! What a response! The woman who said this lost her son that night… her son! Her 26 year-old son is dead… because of the man that she was talking to. Yet, she forgave him and complimented him stating, “We enjoyed you” and still prayed for him, “May God have mercy on you.”
What Strength! This goes to show you that if Christ is in you enough, He will shine through you no matter what is going on! This one act preached to more people than most Sunday morning sermons across the world! It’s a testament of true faith that God will never leave us nor forsake us. These families showed the world that just as Job said “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” What faith! What strength! What a testimony!! This amazes me even now and this response was issued by newspapers almost a full week ago. It amazes me and at the same time, it chastises me because I know that I might not have responded the same way had those shoes been placed on my feet.
Let Christ be the driving force behind everything in your life! Let him guide your actions, your emotions, your thoughts and your responses! The way these people responded to this act really put ME in check! I thought about all the times where people have hurt me or have tried to hurt me in far less impactful ways than murdering people I care about. I thought about my reactions… I thought about the condition that it put my heart in…. I let it sink in. I was disappointed in myself. Our reactions and responses in all situations are chances for us to let the light of Christ shine! We need to begin to check ourselves and ask if we are doing all we can in all the areas of our lives to allow Christ to shine through!
My prayers are with the families and all those affected by this killing. I’m praying for all of those who have the task of burying, preaching and attending these funerals. God is our hope! God is our source. God is our Strength! Put your trust in Him and let his light shine!