When tragedy strikes, such as the recent mass shootings, even the most devout Christians may find themselves questioning the existence of God. If God is the loving Creator of all that we observe, the loving Creator of humanity, why would He allow such a tragedy to occur?
It is clearly an unanswerable question. It is clearly the ultimate challenge to people of faith.
As we struggle to come to terms with that question, as we struggle to maintain our grasp on our faith, we can only cling to the concept that our Creator has a plan for each of us, and that plan may include experiences that we find to be most unpleasant. Likewise, the lives of those who were lost may have served a purpose beyond our understanding.
The pain of the survivors may be the seeds of reform or the foundation of compassion for others. The anguish of the survivors may be the starting point for a cultural change that serves God’s plan, a plan that serves a greater purpose than we can imagine.
Of course, as an observer of these tragic events rather than a victim, it is easier to speculate on a purpose beyond our ability to understand. But, perhaps that too, is part of God’s purpose for those of us who are not directly impacted. Perhaps, for us, our purpose is to be the anchor to hold the ship of faith in those stormy seas.
As I struggle to compose this message of hope, I too struggle with that challenge to my faith. My hope lies in the fact that in my human state, I am unable to truly comprehend the mind of God. I am incapable of doing any more than speculate, based on some innate understanding of that reality. Once again, I fall back on other shreds of evidence, namely, the reports of those who have experienced that phenomenon known as a near-death experience (NDE). Most of those reports indicate that those who pass beyond death’s door experience joy and love beyond any earthly event. If that is the case, then we must accept that those who are the victims of these tragic events have essentially traded their earthly lives for an eternity of joy.
I believe that each of us has a purpose on this earth. I can only hope that my purpose is to provide hope for those in need, at the time they need it. I can only hope to be that anchor of faith in those stormy seas of tragedy.