He is our Peace: Thoughts on the STEM school shooting

There’s been a slow steady drizzle all day. Like tears streaming down from heaven. Dreary and grey outside. Similar inside for many of us as well.

The events of the school shooting yesterday are sadly not new for this area but the trauma, fear, and sadness are felt afresh. I can only attempt to put into words the emotions that a mama’s heart experiences at the news that a school has an active shooter in it. Ten short minutes away. A school where some of my dear church families send their kids. Lord, help us. And then the news that my own kids’ school was placed on lock-out. These are kids. Innocent kids. Who just went to school on a normal Tuesday. And this happening so soon after all the fear caused by hundreds of school closings during a manhunt a few weeks ago. It really was more than a mama’s heart could handle.

But my mind went to the mamas and teachers and friends and family members of the students going through this unspeakable ordeal. My prayers fueled by empathy and sadness and desperate longing for Jesus. I kept praying peace. Peace over the families and the victims. The first responders and law enforcement. The kids. Their parents. Not that they’d be at peace with this situation. No. It is beyond wrong. But that the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding would guard their minds and hearts in Christ Jesus.

He is our peace. He is our only peace. Our only hope. In times of tragedy he is present. He is an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear. In the wake of this horrific event, I’m reminded of the intrinsic value of life and that life is to be protected and lived. Death is not going to have the last word. Jesus does. He, by his death and resurrection, has all authority and power. And he gave us hope for a life of peace and freedom and joy (that starts now by the way). And that hope can never be taken away. No matter what the circumstances that hope is an anchor for our souls, firm and secure. And our great hope is that one day he will eradicate sin and death and pain and violence once and for all. That one day we’ll wake up (if we even need sleep) in a world that is not broken. A world that is not shattered by evil. A world that is everything opposite. Full of mercy and goodness and love and safety. Because he is there. And his presence is our light. How have we pretended that we can safety-proof our world enough to forget that death is still a reality. Only Jesus provides a completely safe and working Kingdom. His is the only one that will stand.

Last night, as I hugged my kids, gave extra kisses, and said “goodnight,” my heart broke for the family who had to say a premature “goodbye” to their child. A goodbye they were not planning on and a goodbye they would never fully have been prepared to say. My heart aches for the families of kids who spent the night in hospitals. My spirit saddened for the community as a whole as they attempt to recover from this incident. And I continue in prayer. For peace. For comfort. And for the people of God to rise up with compassion and strength. May we as a church be known for our open arms, for our shoulders to cry on, for our listening ears and for our hands that are serving. Not for our fingers that are waving or our voices raised in taking a stand for something. But for our love. And for our knees bent in prayer. As my pastor Ryan Paulson put it so well, “While there is much to be done, and many conversations to be had and work to do in the days, weeks, and months ahead, we can and must always start with prayer.” And so I ask you to pray. Pray for peace. Pray for comfort. Pray for our leaders and lawmakers and teachers and parents. Come, Lord Jesus.