My heart sinks deeper into my chest with every news report
from Boston. Images of bloody streets and horrified people flash on the
television like a progression of surreal nightmares. Whether it was an
international or domestic act of terror, a crime or conspiracy, yesterday was
certainly a tragedy. Again, evil has claimed the world’s attention and darkness
shook its fist in the face of Light. Millions of eyes turned to heaven for
answers: Why did this happen? How could a
loving God…?
Tragedy shatters humanity’s great illusion of control. With
one act of terror, one phone call, or one plane crash, everything changes. All
the money and fame in the world cannot stop these events. Tragedy reminds us
that we are all vulnerable beings at the mercy of something, or someone, else. We
cannot protect ourselves from suffering in the same way that we cannot protect
ourselves from the sun or rain or laughter or tears—it is simply a part of existing.
Why did this
happen? I do not know.
How could a loving God let this take place? I do not know.
But this much I do know to be true: God’s grace runs through
every building, sewer, and road in the city of Boston—it reaches into every
crevice covered by bloody remnants of yesterday’s tragedy. His love goes deeper
than any fear invoked by two bombs on Boylston Street. His ability to heal far
outweighs any person’s ability to destroy. His peace can soothe the thousands
of weary souls in despair; give rest to questioning minds. Though we tremble in
the wake of calamity, heaven stands. God stands.
Death and evil do not have the last word. They may rant and
rave like lunatics in the streets, but they will not prevail. God has the last word,
the all-encompassing voice of triumph, and he has already spoken: “I am making
everything new… It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and
the End... Yes, I am coming soon!” (Revelation 21-22).
Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.