When You Wake Up To More Bad News

It is not odd these days to wake up to bad news. Whether it be hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, or shootings, the news bombs keep announcing the turmoil that exists in our world. And this reality is not different from any other year, decade, or generation. Ever since the fall in the garden, waking up to bad news has been a thing, a perpetual experience. This is an undeniable fact: something is wrong. Something is broken. 

As followers of Jesus we believe in the words He spoke and trust in the work He accomplished. We know He is going to return and rectify the situation that Sin and Death have caused. But it still hurts now. It still wounds. It still kills. In light of the most recent bad news coming from the killings in Las Vegas, we weep. We weep because of the loss of life. We weep with those who were directly connected to the murdered victims. We weep with those experiencing the trauma of being in such a horrific experience. We pray the words from this Michael Card song, 

"So open my eyes, and open my heart

And grant me the gift of your grieving

And awaken in me the compassion to weep

Just one, of the tears of the world”

It’s really important to remember that the Christian call is to enter into the suffering of the world. Yes, we cry out, "How Long, O Lord?” But in the waiting, we take the pathway shown us by Jesus. We take on his very attitude and frame of mind. We consider others more important than ourselves. We look out for others' interests and not only our own. We sacrifice comfort and safety to enter into the uncomfortable and dangerous pain of the world. We have to press against our natural disposition to be “bunker-down” Christians just holding on for dear life 'till Jesus comes and fixes all this. No, we lose our lives on the front lines! We serve, love, give, cry, hug, hold, protest, and unify. We go to work against the brokenness because it’s the church that is the body of Christ. It’s the church that has been given the new creation gift of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to be a part of God’s ever-increasing kingdom. Our King has already defeated Sin and Death! We don’t know when he will bring about their full and final eradication, but we do know this, “Jesus has won the victory and so we are not afraid!” 

1 Cor. 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Where is the turmoil and suffering of the world hitting your neighbors, your community, or your city? Enter in, don’t run away.