One Thing God Never Promised

As I have followed the news about the happenings to the people of Virginia Tech I have had a few thoughts, though minuscule, surface. Within 12 hours of the evil and dastardly acts of the student gunman several university campuses across the country held candlelight vigils. A basketball arena at Virginia Tech was at max capacity as Dr. Giovanni, a former English Professor there who had previously confronted the depraved and unsafe behavior of the murderer, brought the mourners to their feet with her stirring statements--speaking truth poetically into the situation.

During the year prior to and following the attacks on September 11th, 2001, I worked for a hotel situated on the water just north of San Francisco and Sausalito. September is the perfect time of year to visit and sightsee there. Our hotel was packed. I was off that day but went there because we didn't have a television at the time. As I entered our office the staff huddled together in talk. I went out to watch television in the lobby and the lobby was packed, virtually by everyone in the hotel, who, by the way, had fully functioning televisions in their rooms. Families ate breakfast together and talked with their new neighbors from all over the US. One client looked at me in bewilderment after the first tower fell and said, "My apartment is five blocks from there." He was a frequent face at the front desk throughout his stay--just talking. Our lobby was rarely full--people come, eat, and go. Today they lingered. We extended our breakfast hours and our attention to the holistic needs of the people.

There is something movingly profound about being present with others during tragedy. We don't want to be alone. We gain strength from being with another and another truly being with us. If someone dies we don't stay home. We congregate at the funeral home. If someone is hurt we don't stay home. We meet them at the hospital. When a child gets injured the child doesn't go the backyard to be alone. The child runs to find the parents for consolation.

God never said that life would be fair. I have often argued with God, even have sworn at him because of the hardness of grief and the mystery of his choices. He has answered in part and over time. But one thing I am learning is that He said that when life was unfair, terrifying and dangerous we would not have to be alone; he would be with us. Jesus' name, remember, is "Emmanuel," which means "God with Us."

Psalm 23 speaks to this: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow I'll fear no evil."

Why will I not fear? There is so much in life that strikes terror. Evil is frightening and makes me question the goodness, sovereignty and smartness of God. Why would I not fear?

"Because you are with me."

How fantastic is that?! That is the promise--not the void of grievous circumstances but the presence of God when times are dark.

God does not promise us that hardships will not befall us. He didn't spare his own son suffering but offered him up as an atoning sacrifice. He promises to walk right there with us deep in the valley where little sunlight gets in. He enters the arena of suffering and sets things in perspective, beautifully speaking wisdom into our situation.