Making Sense of the Senseless

A former pastor of mine once advised against over-spiritualizing issues that may have simple, practical solutions. But he went on to say that in the absence of such practical solutions, don't discount the possibility of spiritual influence.

That may seem like a strange way to open a blog post, but it is a recollection that I have been dwelling on much of the past week. My adopted home community has suffered two devastating blows in the past 8 days, events that are most shocking because of where they occurred. Last Friday, a 9th grader gunned down a fellow 9th grader in the school hallway during a class break. And yesterday, in a tragedy that made national news, an assistant professor at University of Alabama - Huntsville opened fire on fellow faculty and university employees, killing three.

I have avoided most of the TV coverage, preferring to read news accounts as they come over the wire. People are searching (even screaming for answers), pointing fingers out of their fear and anxiety (although in some cases, just mean-spiritedness). But no answers are likely to be found that can possibly and satisfactorily explain the reasons these events occurred. I doubt "reason" had much to do with either case.

Rules and laws are only marginally capable of reducing the potential of violence. But they cannot prevent it, because the heart that is given over to such a hopeless and destructive state will find a way to achieve its aims. Only those closest to such lost individuals, through early intervention perhaps, have even the slightest chance of altering the life trajectory of those who believe they have "no way out."

Practically, all any of us can do is to be a friend and not be afraid to intervene when someone we know or care about starts down a path of self-destruction. Sometimes, we simply cannot "mind our own business." Help and counseling is available, and is often more effective earlier than later. And of course, we can pray.

Which brings me back to the observation at the top. Only Light can dispel Darkness. And when the darkness seems most oppressive, it is then that the light is needed most. We must pray for one another, we must pray for our community, and we must pray for light to dispel the darkness. In our actions, our words, and our service, we must bring light where today there is none, because in the light Truth will be revealed and the stranglehold of darkness can be broken.