The shootings...

I don't really have much to say in the face of yesterday's events. It is so odd to be so far away from an event (geographically distant) and yet watch it unfold via the internet throughout the day, hear the voices of those involved, actually see the face of the young man that did this terrible thing.

Since becoming a father, my whole take on violence has changed. I don't enjoy seeing it portrayed, I don't like to think about it... my thoughts almost always run to my own kids, and how fragile my hold on them is in this sometimes dark world.

So, again... not much to say. I think I try NOT to think about things like this... I know that's not the correct response necessarily, but it's mine.

When these things happen, I suppose we have a choice as to how we will think about it-
Not at all- avoidance
Nihilistically- life is just a series of random tragedies anyway
Selfishly- I hope my freinds/family were okay
Sociologically- What caused this? How can we prevent it in the future?
Legally- Is now the time to talk about gun control?
Angrily- How could that man be such a complete monster? How could he lash out in this way?
Empathically- Oh how badly I feel for those who have lost someone in this senseless way
Theologically- This world is so, so broken. I long for the day when Jesus judges all the evil in the world (and in me) and puts it far, far away. I long for the Kingdom.

I find myself doing all of that in turns. But mostly, I want to do the last...
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy on us.

Comments

[curtis]

"Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy on us."

Amen to that...

As I've been watching this unfold, I've been mostly in this camp: "Sociologically- What caused this? How can we prevent it in the future?"

But unfortunately, I don't know if there's an easy answer, let alone an answer at all...

[Mark]

I hear you friend! My whole idea of war, violence, and equality changed the day my kids were born. My mind continues to wrestle with thoughts of parents mourning college aged children, parents remebering days kids were born, trips to the zoo etc in light of these horrific events. And especially parents wondering how their child could have done such a thing.... the whole situation makes my heart hurt, and i need some distance from it to make any sense or opinion or response