Burning Coals

A few weeks and several emotions later I have started to come to grips with the shooting at the Amish school in Pennsylvania. Many of you know what I'm referring to but if you don't please read the many articles you will find online before finishing this entry.

I struggled with the mindset of someone who would do something so evil. My conclusion is that I'm glad I cannot come close to understanding from that thought process and that right now it still disgusts me. Directly upon hearing the news I thought "wow, no matter how you try to hide from the world evil will find you". Then directly my mind went to "God how will you glorify yourself through this one?" ( knowing that he would as everything happens for our good and His glory). God did glorify himself in a way only He could.

I have never given much thought to the Amish. In my travels in Missouri it was not unusual to see a buggy or two beside the road and I even called my wife one day from a Hardee's drive thru as I was watching the buggy in front of me order Thickburgers. I knew they refrained from indulgence in things of luxury like big screen televisions and DVR's, needless to say I'll never be Amish. I just don't have the discipline. That was pretty much my take until now.

I have since done some study on the doctrine and practices of the Amish. It's very interesting but not relevant. All I need to know about these people is what they did following such a horrible tragedy. First they forgave the shooter, then opened their homes and funeral services to the wife and children of the same man who had killed ( in cowardly cold blood) their daughters, sisters, nieces and granddaughters. Here is a quote from an article in the International Herald Tribune "Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need," she wrote. "Gifts you've given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe. ... Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this we sincerely thank you." "Please know that our hearts have been broken by all that has happened," Marie Roberts wrote. "We are filled with sorrow for all of our Amish neighbors whom we have loved and continue to love." "We know there are many hard days ahead for all the families who lost loved ones, and so we will continue to put our hope and trust in the God of all comfort, as we all seek to rebuild our lives," she wrote.

Jesus teaches that we should forgive as our Father forgives. Our Father has forgiven the sins of all who put their faith and trust in the one true Lord, Jesus Christ. When we live a life that can only be explained by the work of the Holy Spirit, God is glorified. The forgiveness and love that was given in this situation can only be attributed to a life in Christ. Colossians 1:27 states "......Christ in you, the hope of glory". We can talk all day to someone about Christ but we lack credibility until someone sees acts of love like the one this little Amish community displayed. If you want to change the world, dare to be different.