What makes a person walk into a crowded church building and randomly open fire? What drives an individual to take the lives of strangers from a hotel window? We struggle with these questions. We want answers!
Sadly, there is an answer. The answer to all of these “why” and “what causes this” questions is the same. The answer is sin.
We live in a world under the sway of evil and sin, under the influence of Satan as he seeks to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8).
Does that help? No. It explains it; but, it doesn’t help.
When we see horrible acts like we’ve seen in the news of late, it wrenches our soul. It hurts. It makes us wonder if there’s any good left in the world. From a parent’s perspective, it causes worry about the world our kids and grandkids will inherit. Will there be any good at all left to observe when our grandkids turn on the news?
Of course there will.
We just have to be aware of it, notice it, and appreciate it.
Be aware of the nice man who held the door for you as you hurried out of the grocery store with your arms full. Notice the lady behind the counter at your favorite coffee shop who always has a smile and a “good morning” for you. Appreciate events like the high school football teams who both allowed a young man with cerebral palsy to get in a game and run a play or two – just because it was his dream (see this link).
God has given us each the ability to choose – choose to wallow in despair and anxiety regarding the state of the world around us, or choose to see the beauty of His creation, both in nature and in human goodness. And though the world may seem to be in a mess, the overriding goodness of God is palpable…and it’s available for all people.
Terrible things happen. Heinous acts make us question. However, through it all, God provides the ultimate answer: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). His answer to our question is, “I love you. Trust me…and see the good I’ve provided.”