• AUTHOR: // CATEGORY: Theology

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    Weeks after the shooting in Connecticut, I just can’t get the senselessness of it out of my head.  Questions floated through my mind.  Questions like, How does this happen?  Why is there such evil in this world?  Why won’t God stop this?  I don’t know sometimes, and I wish I could give you an answer.

    I stumbled across a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow that spoke volumes to me.  Even when evil occurs, and it seems like hate is so strong, take these words to heart, especially the last two stanzas of these four stanzas.  I assure you this, the wrong will be righted one day.  One day, justice will be made plain for all to see.  But until that day, hold fast onto Christ.

    I heard the bells on Christmas day
    Their old familiar carols play,
    And wild and sweet the words repeat
    Of peace on earth, good will to men.

    I thought how, as the day had come,
    The belfries of all Christendom
    Had rolled along th’unbroken song
    Of peace on earth, good will to men.

    And in despair I bowed my head:
    ‘There is no peace on earth, ‘ I said
    ‘For hate is strong, and mocks the song
    Of peace on earth, good will to men.’

    Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
    ‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
    The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
    With peace on earth, good will to men.’


    Lord, come quickly.

    What has helped you in difficult times?