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On April 21st, in support of those who have
suffered from the tragedy at Virginia Tech, Upward Soccer players, parents, and
guests were invited to sign a card and write a note to Virginia Tech. A
memorial was also created, honoring the 32 individuals who lost their lives, by placing their
photographs on crosses under
the United States' and Virginia Tech's flags.
Reflect on the photographs below, and read the words of
New Hanover Presbyterian Church's Co-Pastor Shane Roberson, which are reprinted
below from the game day devotional on April 21st. Finally, consider
praying the prayer printed at the bottom of the page.
This week began with the shocking
and horrifying news
of the tragedy
at Virginia Tech. As we heard over the media airwaves of the
devastating death toll mounting due to one person’s actions, we were
all dismayed and in shock. Tragedies like this lead us to a place of
bewilderment and the questions arise. Why would someone do
something like this so horrible and devastating? Why did so many
innocent people lose their lives for no reason? Why would God allow
this? Why did this happen?
We may never know the answers to some of these questions, but I do
want to share a couple of truths about God that we can hold firmly to
in the midst of this tragedy. Each one of us is plagued with a
condition called sin. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace
through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-
24). Sin causes us to do things that are not right, to live in darkness,
to hurt people, and to be destructive. We’re all in the same boat, but
we don’t have to be left there.
We may never know what caused this
individual to go on a shooting rampage throughout the campus and
take innocent lives. There will be a lot of speculation and theories
posited in the weeks to come. Actions like these are rooted in our
sinfulness as people. Sin, and the actions that accompany sin, does not have to have the
final say in our lives. God came up with a solution for our sin. He sent
His Son Jesus Christ to pay for our sins.
1 Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ
died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring
you to God.” Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Son, paid the price for
our sins when He went to the cross. That gives us hope and gives us
life. He paid the price for our sin, from the horrible actions to the
smallest unseen offenses. God has the final say in each one of our
lives.
Here is the final Truth I want to leave with you. God is supreme in His
wisdom, and He can make something good of a horrible tragedy such
as this. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love him, who have been called
according to his purpose.” Notice the passage says, “in all things.”
Only God can take a horrible tragedy and bring good out of it. Look at
some of the stories coming out of 9/11. Only God could cause such
good. He takes evil acts caused by the choices of men and creates
good out of those acts. Look no further than the cross and what God
accomplished at Easter. Because of our sinfulness, people beat Jesus
and put Him to death, but God had the final say in that tragedy. In
fact, that tragedy was our saving grace.
We may never know all the answers to the questions that surface, but
we can rest assured we have a loving God who went to all lengths to
make sure that sin does not have to have the final say in our life. Just
look at the empty cross and the empty tomb to show that God can
make good things come out of tragedies. We continue to pray for all the families, students, faculty, staff and
loved ones affected by this horrible tragedy. Please join with us in
praying for all those impacted.
In Christ,
Shane Roberson
Co-Pastor New Hanover Presbyterian Church
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Lord, right now we acknowledge You, and we acknowledge Your presence and Your
sovereignty. Lord, we lift up Virginia Tech and the people affected by the evil
that has taken place on the campus. We pray that Your Spirit be with them. We
pray that Your loving arms be wrapped around them and comfort them in this tragic
time. We pray for families, neighbors, and friends. We pray for staff, professors,
and administrators. Lord, we pray for people. We pray for humanity. We pray
that this event will not cause people to turn from You but it will cause a
nation to run to You like they have never run before. We pray for increased
faith. We pray for spiritual growth. We pray for Christian fellowship and
salvation of souls. We pray that your hand will move mightily over Blacksburg,
VA and over this nation. Touch souls right now and comfort broken hearts.
Forgive us
for our sins, Father.
In Your Son Jesus Christ name we pray.
Amen.
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“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from
heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my
eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this
place. ”
- 2 Chronicles 7:14-15
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