In preparation for writing this post, I soon realized that it was going to be difficult. The subject matter is serious and very opinionated. I’m not a trained professional at all, but my observations and lots of thinking, trying to understand, have formed my beliefs.
We have had a lot of mass shootings in America in recent years. At the time of this writing, there was another one last week. It’s sad and tragic, and even more so when the victims are children. Our country has put in place stronger gun control laws, yet shootings still exist, so gun control isn’t the answer. Then there’s the anthem, “Guns don’t kill people, but people kill people.”
So, one must look at the people, the individuals who commit these travesties. We have to ask, “What is going on inside of them that would cause them to ‘act out’ in such a way?” Some are beginning to look more and more at mental illnesses as a leading cause, and they are most likely onto something.
If we had a way to count them, we would probably learn that millions of people suffer from some form or level of mental illness. Many, most likely, use medication to control it. But what about the ones who can’t get the prescriptions or counseling they need? Or worse, what if they have never been diagnosed?
Here is my opinion: Not to overly simplify the problem, I believe, in some sort of way, these individuals are “empty.” In other words, they are not flowing with life. This may lead them to feel they are alone, there is nothing worth living for, or why keep fighting? Some may have issues of feeling abandoned, that no one sees them, or cares. They probably struggle to make sense out of life. They find themselves living with darkness all around them and without peace.
As for why they attack children at a school or people at a church, this may be where they identify their life went dark. Or perhaps this is where they feel individuals stopped caring about them.
If these hurting, empty, living in darkness, individuals could meet Jesus. Hear about his love and care for them, and then feel it. Then, they might just accept him, and their lives could take on a whole new meaning. Doing so could be their turning point. They would, perhaps for the first time, experience the peace they seek, the meaning and fulfillment they need, and start walking with the Light of the world. All confusion about who they are could become clear.
Most likely, these hurting individuals walk amongst us. If we see them, we should be bold to confront them. Share Jesus and his love with them, and then follow up or stay in touch with them. It may take a lot of work to combat the lies of the devil they have been listening to for some time, perhaps, years. But with God’s help and guidance, we can do it. We can rescue these people, and Jesus can deliver them out of darkness and into the light. A significant challenge, but we must try. You never know, but your efforts could save their life and the lives of countless others.
“Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Mat. 5:15b-16 (MSG)
“I tried everything. Parties, women, buying expensive jewelry… Nothing helped. There was no peace. Just emptiness inside. When I found Christ, I found what I had been missing all those years.” – Deion Sanders
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brady, mark a. 