Restraints

The tragic events in Connecticut is still very much on our minds.  The process of celebrating and remembering the deceased has begun as well as the conversation of how America and Americans should respond to the actions of this desperate and deranged gunman.  Is it not possible that we are looking for simplistic solutions rather than taking an in-depth look at the root of the problem?  It seems that tragedies cause us to look for areas of restraint that we might enforce against society.  Have we not learned that more restraints or more laws will not completely solve our problem?  The depravity and sinfulness of man will never be addressed solely through the restraints of our Judicial system.  The depravity and sinfulness of man must be addressed through the avenues of the spiritual and emotional as well as the adjustment of some of our legal measures or requirements.  I am not using this post to promote the idea that we do not need to make adjustments in the legal side of our problems but I am suggesting that we need to take a serious look at the spiritual and emotional/mental issues that our nation is facing.  Our post discussion of the tragedy that took place in Sandy Hook Elementary School must include mental health issues and the spiritual/moral health of our nation.  In my opinion we have lost respect for our fellow citizens and we no longer cherish the gift of life that God has given to all of us.  Christmas reminds us that Christ came to bring light to our darkness and His Light will transform us into people that love and care for one another.  Someone shared a prayer with me on Tuesday and I would like to share that prayer with you today.

A Christmas Prayer

Max Lucado

 

Dear Jesus,

It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were night shift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

Hopefully,

Your Children