Every now and then something happens that makes you stop and think about life. Yesterday, about 20 miles outside of St. Louis, the pastor of a church about our size was shot and killed during their early service. Right in the front of their sanctuary, right in front of the congregation.
I did not know him, but Clay did. His name was Fred Winters. He was married and had two children.
Pray with me. "O God, why do such things happen? Why do people feel the need to hurt so many? Please comfort the Winters family and the people of their church. Please help them make sense out of a senseless act. Well, maybe I should just pray, Lord, help them to trust in you. These things bother us and make us worry. So help us to trust in you too. I thank you that the Pastor lived his life for you, and is surely with you in heaven. That is our hope too. So guide us this day, walk with us, let us be aware of the special gift of this day. In the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen."
1 comment:
When I read this story my heart sank. A wave of sadness overcame me. Jeff always wants us to look for the good, but where is the good in this? Losing someone loved by so many in such a violent and visible manner tramatizes. A few hurt physically - many, many more hurt emotionally. Where is the good in this? A man's life taken by another. A widow, children who will live the rest of their lives without their father. WHERE IS THE GOOD IN THIS??
A jammed gun. There could have been more widows and orphens. A congregation who will heal one another and grow much, much closer through love. An awareness that even in a sanctuary there is no sanctuary from violence. Those are good things. You can find the good in the love that no doubt will be exhibited in the coming days, weeks and months by people all over the world touched by this tragedy. But really, where is the good in this?
It is in our loving Father who has brought Pastor Winters home. His work is done - he is reunited with his Maker. It is in God who sent His Son to die on a cross for the man who pulled the trigger. It is in God, on whom anyone effected by this tragedy can find comfort. It is only God who can and will hold the Winters family and the members of First Baptist's family up and bring them peace. The good is found only in God. God IS good. All the time. Even when things are bad, God is good.
DT
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