Finding God in the midst of tragedy

It is so hard to know what to say when tragedy hits as hard as it did at Virginia Tech this week. The news has been saying that this is the worst "shooting spree" in US History. It has been called a college-Columbine, to remind us of the Columbine high school shootings back in 1999.

As a minister to college students, I want you to know that this affects me. Not only am I praying for students who I see on a regular basis here in Lexington, SC, but am now feeling overwhelmed by teh need to pray for students across our nation, but especially in Blacksburg. There are people ready to minister to their needs today, this week, this month. My prayer is that those affected by the shootings, either by losing a loved-one in the crossfire or injured, will seek help and will seek to talk about what is going on.

At a time when our country seems to be dividing itself over issues of race (thanks media for the exhaustive coverage of Don Imus' lapse in judgment) and war, we never seem to be at a loss for tragedy either. However, it is in teh midst of tragedy that we show our strength, resolve, and unity. All the buzz over the last 24+ hours has been related to the students and faculty of VT. This really is an incredible thing to me. The country is united in sympathy and prayer for this seemingly hopeless situation. We did the same thing back on September 11, 2001. Every man, woman, boy, and girl in this country realized that the world is bigger than us.

In Philippians, Paul tells Christians to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (4:6-7)." We can ask God anything and we can Him FOR anything. I really love verse 7 as it says the peace of God will guard my heart and my mind. God does not desire for us to suffer. I have peace because I know Him and I know that in teh end, He is supreme. I do not know the spiritual condition of these students who dies this week. God knows.

What is your spiritual condition? Are you ready? Do you have that peace of God that surpasses all comprehension? I'd love to talk to you about it if you don't. If you are a student and you are reading this and are troubled, know that I desire to talk with you. Right now, I am praying for you.

Blessings!
Jerry