The Truth in the Light of Tragedy
This summer was a sad one for the U.S., for the world. It wasn’t more than a couple of months ago and I feel like we’ve already forgotten all about it.
A shooting, another car bombing, another terroristic event in our nation and on another continent. Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Dallas, Orlando, Brussels, Middle East. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
However, it’s not always in the forefront of our minds or weaving into our conversation.
The Truth Is
We never know when another affliction will touch our lives. We never know how close or how far we will be.
Those of us who follow Jesus have something the rest of the world does not. We have hope, and when the Light of the world (John 8:12) shines through our soul, we can see people as people and not as threats.
- Every single one of these acts of violence/self defense are done by a person who is made in the image of Christ. There is no exception.
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them.” (Genesis 1:26–28)
They bear His resemblance like a mirror reflecting something of God’s character. Everyone has value and worth on this planet. And at the same time, we are all sinners. This evil has happened in history happens now and will continue to happen in the future whether we know about it or not.
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Social Media and the news do not help.
They sensationalize a tragedy to elevate themselves. Yes, I do think it’s important to be aware of what is happening in the world and down the street, but I do not believe we should dwell on it day and night.
Instead Joshua 1:8 encourages us to meditate on God’s word day and night.“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
The media, clambering for our attention, tries to be an authority in our lives. By dwelling on God’s word, we are able to get a different perspective.
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It’s not us versus them.
In the midst of the chaos, I was feeling attacked. I was trying to understand what I had done wrong. I couldn’t figure out what I needed to do to fix the problem. But then I remembered that I wasn’t fighting them. The Apostle Paul states in Ephesians 6:12 the truth about evil in this world.“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
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Peace comes from only one Person and He is already victorious. We don’t need to engage in defending ourselves and we can’t change the world by ourselves.
“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
I am not calling you to inaction. Injustice should never be ignored or belittled.
Instead fight the good fight knowing that ultimately God’s got this. There is no need to worry.
1 John 4:4 says, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Author Bio
Gianna Kordatzky has been a part of the First Free family since 1997. She graduated from Northwestern College (now University of Northwestern–St. Paul) in 1999 with a B.A. in youth ministry which prepared her and her husband, Chris, to raise four amazing kids. She is one of the founders of Family Fun Twin Cities and the Moms in Prayer leader for Bel Air Elementary in New Brighton. Gianna is passionate about serving families whether she is volunteering with New Life Family Services in St. Paul or overseas at the ELIC conference.
