The Darker the Night, the More Crucial our Light

I stay away from crime shows or just about anything “dark” in nature. Well, up until the last three weeks and I have been in binge mode as I watched the LIVE proceedings of a quadruple homicide in a small town in North Dakota. My cousin who calls me Auntie Donna is North Dakota’s Assistant Attorney General, and she was one of three prosecuting attorneys. Of course, I was mesmerized watching this beautiful, sweet, and young woman in her element — examining the witnesses. From the visual evidence, we learned the accused (a doctor) was methodical and calculated in this massacre. As dark as this case was, our girl was a light that shined so brightly. And, thanks be to God, even though a motive was never realized, on Friday the jury came back with a guilty verdict on all four counts.

I saw that the doctor had many kinds of guns in his possession. Could gun laws ever be enough to prevent those with mental health issues to not be on the loose? This case was under investigation for more than two years before the trial. But all that went into finding this assailant guilty, doesn’t stop the families from grieving the deaths of their loved ones. And, considering the violence in our world, it makes sense to wonder: “What if I or my family were the victims?” And, what about us – where do we go where there isn’t a possibility that it could be us the next time?

I pray for the four victims’ families and friends and even more so for the soul of the convicted. Hatred produces such atrocious and heart-breaking tragedies in our world. Even now as we consider all that is happening in Afghanistan. More tragedy? More crazies with guns? Dear Lord, have mercy.

Better than analyzing, debating, and trying to figure out why bad people do bad things is learning what would Jesus do. When He encountered those suffering, his first reaction was not always to try and fix their problems. He typically started by listening to them, taking their hand, or simply weeping with them. He would get to the healing and bigger issues eventually but usually not before he’d taken the time to empathize with them and understand their pain. That’s who we should be for our friends, loved ones and even casual acquaintances. The darker the night, the more crucial our light.

Jesus can change any life He touches. The God who turned a murdering Pharisee (Paul) into a missionary of grace can transform anyone. I’d rather stay in my “Pollyanna” mindset by not watching violent crime scenes, stories and even trials as I just witnessed. But, God has us here, on this earth, at this time, to be difference makers. We shouldn’t look for trouble, but since we know the thief is out there and he is determined to kill, steal, and destroy, we best suit up with the armor of God (Ephesians 6). The more that people ridicule our prayers, the more they need our prayers. The more devastated our society, the more vital our compassion. The greater the threat of violence, the more urgent our message. That’s why we must do all we can to reach the lost with the message of God’s love. We must use our influence to share God’s Word and love with everyone we can in every way we can.

I learned from the trial that every community is a mission field. As a result, every Christian is a missionary. Jesus heals the brokenhearted and oftentimes, He does it through us. He is calling us to join him with compassion and a renewed commitment for our world. We are still the only “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). The darker the night, the more crucial our light.

This morning, I hear our Lord asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8). What is our answer to Him?”