Where Do We Go?

I'm printing the same blog post in my personal and my work blogs this week.

These past several days have not been good ones for humanity.  In addition to the “normal” amount of killing and carnage that takes place, we learned of another mass shooting in Connecticut as well as the shooting of two police officers in Topeka, KS.

First, some quick statistics regarding the “normal” killing and carnage (some numbers are rounded):

1.8 million deaths from violence annually world-wide.

57,000 children die violently annually, mostly from abuse.

4,000 women in the U.S. die from domestic violence annually.

2,500 men in the U.S. die from domestic violence annually.

Someone is murdered every 60 seconds in the world.

Someone is killed in a war every 100 seconds in the world.

China accounts for 55% of all female suicides annually.

A disproportionate share of murders (18%) are committed on persons ages 10 – 29 by other young people.

For everyone killed, 15 to 20 are grievously injured as a result of violence.

So what is the response, if any, of the Christian to numbers such as this and to events such as the murders in Connecticut?  Is there a response?  Should there be a response?  Where is God in all of this?  Why is evil such a presence in this world?

I don’t have answers that are any better than the attempts by men and women much more intelligent and learned than I am to answer these questions.  Such statistics and questions haunt us as we search for meaning, purpose, and direction.  Even Christians who appear strong in their faith are caused to question and wonder if their faith really is of value and worth.  Maybe there is no God, or at least a God who cares.  Maybe we’ve been sold a bill of goods.  Maybe, just maybe, the atheist is right and there is nothing beyond this life.

Then we begin to hear trickles from the other side of the coin.  We begin to hear stories of courage, heroism, and faith.  We hear of the “good guys” who, at great risk (and sometimes great sacrifice) willingly confront and eliminate the threat of evil.  We see humanity coming together in sympathy and compassion.  We see families as they cope with the unthinkable, not only coping, but providing support and comfort to others (and to us).  We find people who are desirous (and capable) of making positive change.  We hear timeless words from Scripture.  We feel the breath of God on our souls, giving soothing healing and comfort.  And we renew our faith in those divine promises of a better place and a better life (where there are no tears, sorrow, or death) through music, the written word, communion with our Creator, and fellowship with others.

When all is said and done…when all of the hand-wringing, the tears, the calls to action, the speeches at the memorial services, the unity (even if only temporary) of society…when all of that is finished and done, where are we left?  What do we do?  And where do we go from there?  The Psalmist got it right when he wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!  The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.”

Handel also got it right in the finale of The Messiah.  The scripture he used is found in Revelation chapter 5.  “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.  Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever and ever.”