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We have been shocked this week by a senseless act of violence in our own city. This act of violence would have been disturbing enough if it had taken place on our streets. Yet it did not happen in the streets, or even in a dark alley. It took place in a sanctuary set aside for worship. Our peace was shattered along with the feeling of security that we might have felt inside a house of worship.
I know that we have all been praying for the members and friends of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. The depth of their pain, hurt, and loss is beyond my imagination. Watching people of faith in our community offer support and encouragement to the Tennessee Valley congregation reminded me that there are many compassionate and loving people in the Knoxville area.
At the same time, I have noticed the words of those from within the Unitarian Universalist community. In the wake of this senseless tragedy, they have spoken not of retribution, but of love and forgiveness. Out of this event, they have talked about hope being renewed and strengthened, rather than diminished. While there are some ways in which Baptists and Unitarians differ doctrinally, I must say that I am moved by their willingness to choose love over hate, hope over despair, and reconciliation over retribution.
An act of violence like this affects different people in different ways. For some, such an act causes them to turn to the core of their belief system. For us, as Baptists, Jesus Christ is that core. Our Savior, (the One who said of those who were doing violence to Him, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”) is the touchstone that gives us the strength and courage for living through difficult days.
Our faith in Christ is God’s gift to us. That gift comes with a hope that has given assurance, to those who hold to it, that a day will come when love will ultimately and completely triumph over hate. Of course, that day has not yet arrived. When events like the shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist church take place, it is natural to wonder if such a day will ever come.
As followers of Christ, we have a choice to make. We can so focus our lives on the darkness and depravity that is so prevalent in our world today that we risk being consumed by despair. Our other choice is to look to the cross and to a Savior who died for us; then, to look beyond the cross to an empty tomb — a tomb that could not hold back the hope and the promise offered to us, through God’s son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
A day will come when God’s love will triumph once and for all over hate and sin. Until that day, we who have experienced that love must live our lives toward it. We have been loved by God. We have love to share. We have been forgiven by God. We have forgiveness to share. We have been given a promise of hope from God. We have hope to share.
May those who suffer loss and tragedy today know the presence and experience the peace of the God who was, who is, and who will always be.
Joy and peace,
Ed
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