How to Share Your Faith Using the Massacre at Virginia Tech
The unspeakable violence and horror that unfolded at Virignia Tech should motivate each of us to redouble our efforts and intensity in reaching out to the lost and desperate with God's message of hope and purpose. The shooter was someone's son or brother or friend...were there warning signs that he was about to go ballistic and wreak mayhem and murder on so many innocent lives? Was anyone speaking God's love and hope into his angry, alienated life?
When the world ceases to make sense and life feels out of control, desperate people turn to desperate measures - and all too often in our culture, that involves violent behaviors, from school shootings to road rage to school bullying.
As we struggle to comprehend the pain and loss of the massacre that took over 30 innocent lives at Virginia Tech, it's natural to look more deeply into our own relationships and consider whether we're doing all we can to reach out to the angry and alienated souls we bump up against in our daily lives. No one knows if a smile, a friendly word or a conversation with the gunman might have made a difference the morning of April 16 th, but one thing is certain - a personal relationship with a loving, forgiving God would have brought value, meaning and hope to an angry, hurting soul.
Look for opportunities to let everyone around you know that Jesus came to offer help and healing to the broken and hurting. In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus puts it this way:
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
In your circle of friends, when someone is angry or upset, do they know they can turn to God for hope and forgiveness? And do they know they can turn to you, as a follower of Jesus, for support and a listening ear? Do they know you'll be there for them and help them find a trusted adult to turn to for help when they are hurting and overwhelmed?
So take this tragic school shooting at Virginia Tech and use it as a conversation starter to talk about spiritual things with your friends with new intensity and purpose - like their lives depend upon it, because they do.
Here are some suggestions to get your conversations with your friends started:
- Find out where your friends turn when really tough times hit. Do they have a relationship with God that is a source of strength and comfort for them? Share from your personal experience what your relationship with God means to you.
- Do your friends know you're committed to being there for them when times are tough and they're feeling overwhelmed or angry? And do they know God's there for them, waiting with open arms to draw them into meaningful relationship with Him and give their lives purpose and hope?
- Ask your friends if they are afraid of dying. Ask them what they think happens when they die. Share what you believe.
- Ask your friends where they think evil comes from. Share what the Bible has to say about this. For help with this difficult topic, check out the Soul Fuel articles Evil: Blame It On God? and Why Is the World So Screwed Up?
Evil and tragedy are difficult realities to confront, but sadly they are part of the fallen world in which we live, and we are not doing our friends any favors by avoiding talking about them. They need to hear God's truth and salvation message - for Jesus told us that He came to "set the captives free." The captives include both those who find themselves in a prison of rage or despair, and now, sadly, also those survivors whose lives have been forever changed by this unspeakable massacre.
The Virginia Tech shootings also remind us that life is fragile and filled with uncertainty. There are no guarantees that the spiritual conversation you're "intending to have with your friends down the road" will still be possible tomorrow. Don't let anymore days drift by without sharing the "hope that is within you."
