Preface: I began writing this piece before the tragic events at Virginia Tech. My heart aches for the families and friends who lost loved ones. Why that person chose to massacre all those innocent people is a question I don’t think anyone will be able to answer. Nevertheless, there are many who will offer up their opinion and in giving their opinion seek to blame someone or something for this senseless evil. In just 48 hours some of those being blamed were Charlton Heston, video games and homosexuals and in time that list will grow to contain conservatives, liberals, gun companies and on and on it grows. Wanting an answer is natural, I just don’t think the truth can be contained in a sound-bite.
H.L. Mencken said, “For every complex problem there is an easy answer, and it is wrong.” What is easy, though, is the answer of how we respond to God and others in the midst of this complex existence. Micah 6:8 (The Message) states:
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what GOD is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously -
take God seriously.
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Why do junkies continue to stick needles in their arms?
Why does the prostitute sell her body, and why does the husband and father solicit it?
Why do many Christians condone the killing of men, women and children through war and yet base their voting decision on whether a candidate is pro-life?
Why can we not consider more than one way to solving a problem?
Why does the husband beat his wife and the father beat his children?
How can the last become first, and the meek inherit the earth?
Why do we do those things we know we shouldn’t and often times don’t even want to do?
Why can’t we be faithful, honest, peaceful, loving and merciful to all persons regardless of age, sex, race or religion?
There are no easy answers. Sure it would be convenient to be able to give a ten-word response to all these questions, but we wouldn’t be seeking after truth. Truth can be difficult to see, hell, Pontius Pilate couldn’t even see it and it was standing right in front of him, but it can be found. We must be passionate and diligent in our search, but truth is available to us all.
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This month M.C.T. will be presenting an exclusive interview with Jars of Clay as well as reviewing their concert at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio. We’re very excited about this opportunity for M.C.T. and we want to share this experience.