my faith journey
The events in Aurora and Newtown were tragic. The fact that so many innocent adults and children were murdered is heartbreaking. In Aurora, twelve people lost their lives when a deranged gunman entered a theater and began shooting. In Newtown, 26 adults and children were killed by someone whose motives are still unclear.
The severity and tragedy of those events should not be diminished.
However, what happens in Chicago everyday is a tragedy that most people overlook, including the media. So far in 2013 (as of February 22), 55 people have been murdered in Chicago (http://homicides.redeyechicago.com/). Fifteen of those were teenagers.
As a country–better yet, as Christians–do we really care? I’ve heard people say things like: ”It’s all those gangs,” and “Well, at least they’re killing each other.”
Those statements are based on two things: a lack of the full knowledge of the situation, and prejudices.
image from presstv.com
Read these names and ages of the slain.
Octavius Lamb, 20
Kelvin Jemison, 29
Devonta Grisson, 19
Ezquiel Velasquez, 17
Myron Brown, 30
Ulysses Gissendanner, 19
Michael Kozel, 57
Christopher Lattin Jr., 15
Angela Welch, 55
David Kartzmark, 25
Taison Moore, 33
Marcus Turner, 19
Lavonshay Cooper, 22
Darvell Brown, 24
Tyshawn Blanton, 31
Michael Santiago, 21
Johnny Taylor, 23
Brian Cross, 34
Tyrone Soleberry, 39
Marcus Wallace, 23
Victor Vega, 15
Rey Dorantes, 14
Damian Barnes, 22
Gregory Bady, 28
Curtis Porter, 51
Claudia Martinez, 35
Tyrone Lawson, 17
Jorge Valdez-Benitez, 18
Marshall Fields-Hall, 21
Jovantay Alexander, 19
Layla Stewart, 2
Elton Johnson, 35
Ronald Peters, 50
Ronnie Chambers, 33
Unknown
Allen Smiley, 41
Dimitri Buford, 32
Antonio Fenner, 16
Norman Stokes, 38
Willie Wilson, 33
Gino Angotti, 20
Devin Common, 28
Hadiya Pendleton, 15
Manuel Hernandez, 21
Michelle Smith, 32
Salvador Ponce, 31
Sergio Mora, 19
Christopher Roundtree, 29
Marquis Anderson, 22
Frances Colon, 18
Oscar Marquez, 17
Michael Powell, 24
Cherie Adams, 42
Curtria Duncan, 24
Unknown
Now go back and really read each one.
Each person, even the ones whose names are unknown, was created in the image of God. Each person was once someone’s son or daughter or mother or father. God had a plan for each one. And each one was murdered.
Fifty-five people. And this is only February.
Whatever your belief about gun control, you must believe that the murder rate in Chicago is not good. We have to do something. Try this:
1. Be aware. Follow http://homicides.redeyechicago.com/.
2. Encourage Mayor Emanuel to put more cops in the neighborhoods that are most affected.
3. Show support for rallies against violence.
4. Pray. Pray for lives to be changed with only the peace that Jesus can bring.
Have you ever been on the cusp of a big move or decision that you thought was God’s will, only to discover many trials along the way? If you’re a Christian and you’re seeking God’s will in your life, then the answer is probably yes. So how do we tell if those trials are adversities from the Devil or red flags from God? It seems to be a thin line, but I believe there is one distinction that will help you.
First, I’ll share our trials from today. My truck (an SUV, really) started making a noise a couple of days ago that had me feeling unsettled. Kim followed me in her un-airconditioned van to take it to our mechanic. He took one listen and told me it was the AC compressor. That’s expensive. As we left together, the van overheated. Literally, it was when we pulled out of the parking lot. We went down the street to the one car rental place in Springfield, TN. The plan was to rent a car, take the van to the mechanic, and sort it out from there. They didn’t have any cars, though. The car rental place did not have any cars to rent. Classic.
We stopped and prayed (for about the third time).
We prayed for peace.
For the van to cool down.
For safety to get home.
For the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
We left the car rental place, and the van made it, without overheating, to Walmart for some groceries and some McDonalds. I called my Dad and Mom, who were able to bring both of their cars to the mechanic so we could borrow one until this gets straightened out. They were such a blessing . . . and so is their car and its AC.
Kim and I talked about what this day means as we get ready to move to Chicago in four weeks. How will we pay for this? More accurately, how will God provide for this? Time will tell, and I will post a follow-up when we know.
But back to the original problem: Is this an adversity from Satan or a red flag from God?
I asked a friend this question a few months ago. His answer has stuck with me as we move forward. He said, “Can you have peace about not doing what you believe God wants you to do?” That is, if I see this as a red flag from God and decide to stop, will I be at peace about it? The answer for us is a resounding “No!” God has moved in so many ways to get us where we are, there is NO DOUBT that he wants us to move to Chicago.
So as you face your trials, I ask you the same question my friend asked me, “Can you have peace about not doing what you believe God wants you to do?” If you can’t, press on. God will make a way.
Update:
We were able to barter with our mechanic. He is keeping one vehicle to sell and cutting a considerable part from our bill. When the other vehicle sells, he is sending me the difference.
There are several passages in the New Testament that are just difficult. I understand them okay (most of them). They’re just really hard to live out. Over the next few posts, I will mention some of these. Feel free to join the discussion as you see fit.
Matthew 10:34-39 states:
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. But in this passage we see that he causes division as well. There is a specific focus on family members turning against each other because of Jesus.
Join the discussion. How have these verses played out in your life?
