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Like most of you, I woke up last Friday morning thinking it
was going to be just like any other day.
was going to be just like any other day.
And then I heard the news. A gunman had opened fire in a
movie theater full of people.
movie theater full of people.
Overwhelming, gut-wrenching news. News that has the power to
destroy. News that drove me to my knees.
destroy. News that drove me to my knees.
Some ask, “Where was God?”
His name is Yahweh Shammah: The Lord Is There.
Where was He?
He was there. In the movie theater, bringing a peace to
those who cried out to Him.
those who cried out to Him.
He is there, comforting families of the victims, comforting
those who now live in fear.
those who now live in fear.
He is there, in the midst of the darkness, shining His
bright light of hope, hope that there is more to life than this destruction,
this tragedy.
bright light of hope, hope that there is more to life than this destruction,
this tragedy.
He is there, reminding us that this world is not our home,
that there is a world beyond this one with so much goodness and light, we can’t
even imagine it.
that there is a world beyond this one with so much goodness and light, we can’t
even imagine it.
He is there, proclaiming justice, helping us to remember
that He is the ultimate judge and will punish evil accordingly someday.
that He is the ultimate judge and will punish evil accordingly someday.
He is there, helping us make sense of the tragedy…or at
least, to understand that when nothing else makes sense, He does.
least, to understand that when nothing else makes sense, He does.
He is there, in our hearts, showing us the difference
between darkness and light.
between darkness and light.
There, giving us a foothold, a rock to build our lives on, a
foundation that will not crumble.
foundation that will not crumble.
There, holding us tight in His arms so we do not drown from
the aching sadness this world sometimes brings.
the aching sadness this world sometimes brings.
There, giving us joy despite the pain.
There, bringing beauty from ashes, as only He can do.
Your Turn: When has
God shown Himself to really be “there” in your life?
God shown Himself to really be “there” in your life?
*Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I remember sitting at Children's Mercy in Kansas City last summer during one of my nephew's surgeries. It was the one when doctors said he wouldn't make it without the operation, but he probably wouldn't make it through surgery either. It's one of those times when, yes, God was there–so, so there. And our family's little miracle is still going strong today!
Beautiful post, Linds!
Ah, I had no idea things got so bad with Ollie! He's such a little miracle! So glad God showed Himself to you in that way.
A verse I read this morning that spoke to me.
He's good, so good like that!
~ Wendy
So often I find He speaks to me right when I need Him to. Such a blessing!
On my first trip to a writer's conference. On the plane. I thought I was going to boohoo and pass out from His overwhelming presence. It was like He was in the seat next to me. Talked to me the whole way. I'll never forget that. 🙂
Wow, what an awesome experience when we feel His peace and presence like that.
In the darkest hours of my life, I've felt God's presence more than ever. My sister lives in Aurora, Colorado and 33 people from her church were in the theater when the gunman came in. Just hearing her talk about the presence of God in that place sends chills up my spine. He is there.
Gabe, that's incredible. I've never been in a moment of crisis like that exactly, but I hope if I ever am, I feel His presence in such a way. I know He'd be there…I just pray I would pay attention.
MANY times he's been there for me. Sometimes I don't even realize until later that He was there, helping me.
Hindsight IS truly 20/20, isn't it? I love that. One way I see how He worked in my life is to look back at my prayer journal. So cool.
I know God is there, and he has been there in the darkest moments of my life. He always shows me in a way that only I could know…
Beautiful post, Lindsay.
His been there in mine too, Loree. I'm so blessed.
Such rich words of hope and solid foundation! As those affected search for answers, I pray that they see Him at work. Because He is, indeed, THERE. I pray He gives them eyes to see. Beautiful, my Friend.
I pray that too, Donna. I know He has often used situations like this to pull people to Him. I pray they go.