VT Tragedy-Lessons to Learn

As you read this, you are choosing to hear my voice. The extent to which you do this is often your choice. So it is with the information we receive from all of reality surrounding us. EVERYONE hears voices. We hear voices of family and friends; we hear the voices of those in our communities; we even choose to hear the voices of reporters and commentators and any others we can access in our Information Age. Yet, is there a voice out there more important? Is there a VOICE we may need to focus on hearing?

Whenever Tragedy strikes TERROR almost always follows. In fact, TERROR can be something that even occurs in an individual's mind, which will almost always lead to a tragedy that will impact others. The news came last night that yesterday there was another murder on the VT Campus. The details are still coming out and the investigation pending and it appears that this is an isolated incident with the suspect in custody (though it never is isolated completlely). The fact is that we impact everyone around us and our TERROR will either have a negative or even a positive impact...

I imagine that most of you who are reading this Blog have watched at least some of the ceremonial pageantry of the Inaugural activities in Washington, D.C. It is encouraging to see so many people filled with a sense of hope and unity (there was a similar feeling at the VT Convocation on 04-17-07 following the VT Tragedy). How often do we see people with such diversity of backgrounds and even diversity of faiths get together for any purpose? This is a good thing, yet is what is being said and done the best or even the right thing? Could it simply be the tragedy that keeps anyone from actually truly prevailing in life and before the Almighty? Might it simply be "WISHful thinking"?

Did you know that it was cold day in Blacksburg, VA with snow flakes flying when the 04-16-07 Massacre occurred? Have you ever considered (I mean really thought about) how the weather works and impacts our lives? It is a pretty common joke that you can't trust the weathermen. So often, when it is said that it will be a certain way, it is not and even the opposite of what they have said. Sometimes, when they call for snow, it will not snow and may even be sunny. I have seen the Weather Channel (and I do watch it for information ;-) ) predict 100% chance for HEAVY SNOW in our area and we get NOTHING. They have to update their forecasts at least three times a day as things are constantly changing and they can’t control it. There is a joke in this area of what could happen when they call for a "dusting of snow." Around ten years ago, they said this and our little area woke up to about 10 inches of snow! :-) Sometimes, schools even get into trouble by calling off school with an imminent threat of inclement weather (there are other lessons to think about there too). Weather impacts all of us and is an aspect in many of life's tragedies...

To borrow a popular slogan from President Elect Barack Obama, "YES we CAN!" Now, I may not be (am certainly not) looking at this the same way he and others are. The whole world is putting their hope in Barack Obama and his historical presidency. They are looking to the 01-20-09 Inauguration as a kind of anointing. There is reason for hope, but not the reason that most are looking toward. They will be disappointed. He is a pragmatist, but he will not be able to please everyone. It is impossible. The extent to which he is successful will depend on the object of his faith and his ability to unify people to his goal. The same is true in anything and is true for all those here in Blacksburg, VA (or anywhere), who are looking to Prevail in Tragedy...

What in the world would this subject have to do with tragedy? Well, quite a bit. As noted, tragedy will test what you are made of and it will do much to reveal what you believe or even take belief away from you. There are multitudes of examples of how some tragedy has led to someone turning their life toward GOD and doing much more in faith than they may have done before. I have friends who came to believe in GOD (Theism) following a tragedy and others who came to doubt or even disbelieve in GOD (A-theism) after a tragedy. Some even resort to what amounts to denying that GOD is involved enough to prevent tragedy (Deism)...

Whenever there is a natural disaster (often tragic for many people) there is the need to clean up what disorder may have occurred from the event (be it flood, fire, wind, earthquake, etc.). As you think about this, it is easy to understand how cleaning up is really a part of any tragic situation, as whatever contributed to the tragedy led to things being out of their normal order. Think about how there is even obviously the need to clean up problems with the economic conditions that have come to impact each of us. Cleaning up is not only needed and necessary in the physical world and in our emotional worlds, but is also much needed in the spiritual world where we live...

Tragedy exposes your character; it reveals what you are made of. The intensity of a tragedy prevents immediate reflection, yet in time reflection will serve to strengthen resolve or else reveal the need for change. Today is the last day of 2008. It is a day when many will be reflecting on the past year and looking forward to 2009. Many will be celebrating--some sensibly and many foolishly. There is reason to celebrate life and hope for the future, but only in as much as we are in tune with reality and our Creator...

Worldwide, today is a day set aside by many to remember the incredible event that changed the course of history and even the way we measure time. It was the perfect time for the birth of the Creator into His Creation (see Galatians 4:4,5). Many will gather with family and friends, and may even take time to reflect more on what actually happened around the birth of Christ. That blessed event was marred by Tragedy as well, given that the Creator and King of the Universe had to be born in a lowly, likely foul smelling stable and laid in a manger. JESUS can identify with any human condition and is thus the Great Mediator who became the Savior of all who will believe in Him. Yet, there are tragedies today and many that could be prevented...

This time of year is a time when most think more about their family. Often, extended family members will get together and enjoy food and time together. It is a good opportunity to see relatives that you haven't seen for some time. Amidst the decorations, bright lights, gift giving and celebration, it is easy to become depressed, especially if you do not have the time with family that you would want. What about those who have even lost family members and will not be able to meet with them at this time of year? Family is very important, but is there something more?...