I feel like I should say something about the tragedy on Friday.  Today, thousands of students are being shuffled into assemblies and having difficult conversations in classrooms about why bad things happen to the innocent.  I pray that teachers and staff are given divine inspiration today to comfort those children.

How are we, as Christians, suppose to respond to this?  I couldn’t sleep last night, so I turned to the Bible for peace.  Here’s what I read:

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. – 1 Peter 3: 14-16

People are searching for truth, for answers, for comfort in their grief.  We live in a fallen world, full of hurt and pain because evil is very much alive.  But God is alive as well.  We may never have sufficient answers for the loss on Friday, but we do have the gift of hope.  And with gentleness and respect, we can share that hope with those in desperate need of it.