I don’t usually write about current events here on Raising Arrows. I leave that to other blogs to deal with accordingly, not because I don’t feel like current events should be addressed, but because the focus here at Raising Arrows is more on the little things that make up the big things that affect our world, rather than the events of the world itself.
Even today, I don’t intend to break down the events of Friday in Connecticut, but rather offer a focus in the form of some tough questions and eternal Truths.
The Truth is that human beings were made in the image of God and were created with purpose, but the humanism of our modern age ignores this Truth and creates an environment of devalued life and a purpose that thinks only of self.
Every single person killed on Friday, gunman included, was created in God’s image. Every single person on this earth, no matter their faith (or lack thereof), their skin color, or their political affiliation were created in the image of God with purpose. Not all see themselves or others this way, not all work toward fulfilling a purpose rooted and grounded in the Word of God; however, the fact that people do not see purpose in their lives or the lives of others does not null and void the fact that they have been created by Design.
We have to start seeing ourselves, our children, and everyone in this world as created in God’s image. We have to speak purpose into our children’s lives. We have to stop seeking self and start seeking God’s perfect will. We have to raise up a new culture. Only then will anger and lawlessness be stopped. Only then will men cease to do what is right in their own eyes. (Judges 21:25)
Many people will try to control what happened in Connecticut with pointed fingers and stiffer laws. There will be blame laid all over the place, but few will take the time to dig deep into what really happened.
We have created a culture where every man is out for himself and few seek the One True God. We don’t acknowledge life as God-given and we don’t respect much outside of our own thoughts and opinions. We take more than we give and we demand more than we defer. We are so focused on the here and now and the culture of self that we have no need of God and no need of a Savior. After all, we’ve done nothing wrong…or at least, nothing as wrong as that other guy.
Our church service last night was spent breaking down the truth of what happened on Friday. We looked long and hard at the value of human life and the role of humanism in our modern society. I walked away from that service with a heavy heart, one that grieved over my own part in this crisis.
I began to ask myself some tough questions. Questions I believe every Christian should ask themselves…
1. Inside and outside my home, whom do I serve? Am I busy self-preserving or serving others in Christ’s name? Is my heart inwardly or outwardly focused?
2. Do my children know they are created in God’s image, not just by my words, but by my actions as well? Do they know they have a God-given purpose. Do they know we see each and every one of them as blessings and that we gladly accept these gifts from the Lord? Do they know that Mommy and Daddy rejoice in being able to raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? (Ephesians 6:4)
3. Am I spending my time as a mother training my children up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6) or am I guiding them toward a humanist worldview? Do they know that life is not about living for yourself and doing the things that make you happy, but that life is about loving and knowing God so that you can love others?
4. When I see sin in others, do I become self-righteous or do I grieve over a back turned on God? Do I love others enough to not want to see them go to hell? Do I love others enough to take the time to be a beacon of Light and Hope?
5. Do I spend a lot of time complaining? Am I upset over my current situation or at the people in my life who bother me. Am I living a life full of “poor-me’s” or am I striving toward the joy of a life lived for Christ?
6. Am I living as salt and light? Do others see a life steeped in the Word of God? Do I point others toward Christ? Or am I too focused on myself to keep focused on Him?
7. Am I striving to do the Lord’s will faithfully? Am I content with where He has placed me? Am I content with His timing? Am I content with His purpose in my life? Am I searching for what benefits me or am I seeking and waiting upon Him? (Psalm 27:14)
8. Do I truly love others? Do I believe every life matters? Do I believe every life is God-given? Not just the ones who do no harm, but also those who do?
9. Do I know how to condemn the sin, but grieve over the sinner? Do I know how to love the hard-to-love?
10. What is the biblical response to sin and evil? Where does my hope lie? (1 Peter 3:15) What can I do to proclaim this hope, not just when tragedy strikes, but every single day of my earthly life?
Dear readers, I know what it is like to lose a child. I know what it is like to try to cram everything you want to say about your child onto a piece of stone. I know what it is like to always feel as if a piece of you is missing.
And I know my daughter’s life and death had purpose and meaning.
Now is not the time to find blame and point fingers. It is time to offer hope. It is time to outwardly live a Gospel-centered life that reaches across this land and beyond.
It’s time the Salt became salty once again.
Lynda says
You put it so much better than I did. Great post on the real issue. God bless you as always.
Samantha says
Beautifully and eloquently said, Amy. Thank you for giving us this blessing.
Kelly says
Amy, you have given us so many truths to ponder here. Thank you. I am sure this tragedy has put your sweet daughter at the front of your thoughts and pray for continued peace for you and your family as well. God’s precious blessings to you!
Jillian says
Well said Amy. Amen.
Jess says
Very Well Said!
Blessings,
Jess
Rachel @ finding joy says
Beautiful response, Amy. Blessings to you my dear friend.
Coby says
Wow, powerful questions Amy. Thank you for sharing your heart and giving us – me! – questions to ponder and reflect upon.
Jill Grier says
Well said Amy! Glad you wrote this to share with others…. Thank you for being the ‘tree God made you to be’! God is good.
Annie says
When I saw the title of your post… I hesitated: I live in Connecticut and there are so many opinions… most of them I wish I didn’t know.
BUT I read your post… and wanted to say thank you for being obedient to the Holy Spirit.
Thank you.
Amy says
Oh, Annie! I imagine it is so difficult to live in the middle of all of this right now. Our prayers are with you as your state begins to move forward and heal.
Annie says
Amy,
Oddly we are not in the middle of it at all… 30 min. away might as well be 300 miles; the thought however of children being targeted and hurt hits home to everyone…
I have thought so much about the Amish school shooting in 2006 wondering how they got through, only to learn some of that community is reaching out to Sandy Hook:
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/12/amish_near_nickel_mines_school.html
Never have I felt the impact of how ‘my thoughts are not His thoughts and His ways are higher than mine’ (paraphrase of Isa. 55:8&9). Your post gave me some words, instead of just shaking my head sadly…
Again, thank you.
Rhoda says
Thank you for your post. Definitely plenty to think and reflect on. And hopefully be spurred on to make the changes needed. Blessings on your family this week.
Jaclyn says
I was telling my husband how cool I thought it was on how you approached this subject vs. other “why did this happen” topics.. His response for you was “Right on!”
Amy says
Tell him thank you…it’s been so heavy on my heart.
Andrea says
Thank you 🙂
yolanda says
Oh so much truth! Pierced my heart right through. I read it to my husband and we addressed each question personally. Thank you for your wisdom and your courage in sharing it with us!
Annette @ InAllYouDo says
Beautifully written! I wrote a post today that is almost identical. Thank you for sharing your heart openly. Blessings.
Annette
Shannon Wallace says
Amen…thank you for this, Amy. I think a lot of us needed to read this right now.
Rebecca says
Beautiful post, as always, Amy…. You consider the world through God’s word. It’s rare these days to truly find someone who does that. I’m learning and I am thankful for the wisdom God has granted you and the ability to share it with others.
Ana Sullivan says
I am visiting you from another site that linked to you. I linked in although I had not linked back. I now have you in my reader and will put you on my blog next time. I loved these introspective questions.
Pam B. says
Love this blog. I agree wholeheartedly with all you said. I too lost a child. My daughter lost her battle with brain cancer 3 yrs. ago and only by the grace of God, did I have peace and calm during and after she passed. It would have been easy to play the ‘poor me’ or ‘why her’ game but I know God’s plan and timing serves a purpose. Though many times we may never know that purpose in this lifetime, I trust in His will for myself and mankind. It saddens me to listen to all that is going on and being said in the media, so I try not to listen to it. I pray for the families whose loved ones were killed last week including the gunman. I am no one to judge and as you stated, the we are ALL made by Gods design and our purpose is to love, and serve others and that includes forgiveness.
Autumn Jones says
I completely agree with your response to the shooting. This happened because we live in a world in desperate need of a Savior. I love your last line: “It’s time the Salt became salty once again.” So true! We have lost our saltiness and have become irrelevant to a lost and dying culture. Never before have so many people made so little impact! It’s time for God’s people to rise up, and become a praying and powerful presence once again, by being filled with THE PRESENCE and allowing Him to permeate every part of our lives. May we become salty again, God! May we be a sweet aroma to You, and may our lights shine Hope in the darkness.
Mom2JADE says
This is such a good reminder. I know this comment comes at a time not related to Sandy Hook nor the anniversary, but I would like to know what you think of my blog post about the same subject: http://www.jadeintheparke.com/2012/12/advent-2012-in-honor-of-sandy-hook.html?m=1