The Word, The Womb, The Wonder, The Forgiveness
“There is a mass murder event through gun violence almost every week,” claimed a newsperson reporting on the May 6, 2023 shooting in Texas.
This tragic event adds another log to the fire of the gun violence debate. It also adds kindling to the embers of the mental health conversation. But society at large is ignoring the bonfire that has been raging in America and around the world for eons. We’ll deal with this bonfire in a moment.
The Gun Violence Archive is a nonprofit organization based in Washington D.C. It collects daily stats for injuries and deaths caused by guns. The GVA compiles all types of gun violence from one person injured or killed to mass shootings. GVA states on its website that ‘Mass shootings are, for the most part an American phenomenon’.
What Example is America Showing to the World?
America might lead in the total number of mass shootings, but it is by no means the only guilty nation. Only days before the Texas shooting, a young Serbian student shot eight of his classmates.
GVA classifies a mass shooting as one in which a minimum of four victims are shot, injured or killed, not including the shooter.
Suicide by gun is a disturbing and growing problem around the world. However, America ranks disproportionately high among developed nations.
Typically, a mass shooting in America is followed by demonstrations and an outcry for stricter legislation to restrict or ban gun sales. Semiautomatic and automatic long guns are on the top of the list for elimination.
In the aftermath of the Texas mall shooting, Greg Abbot, the governor of that state spoke about the increase of division and anger in America. He called on greater support for mental health services. Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar echoed the need for mental health support.
A CNN reporter cast shade on Representative Keith Self, in whose district the shootings occurred, when he said that prayers are important.
Despite the reporters disregard for the power of prayer, Representative Self’s comments help open our eyes to spiritual solutions. This brings us back to the bonfire raging around gun violence.
Violence on the Innocent
Romans 5:12 in the Bible states: Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men.
Sin that leads to death lies at the root of all sorts of violence.
In a nation which has violated, that is, killed more than 63 million babies in the womb since Roe V Wade, is it any wonder that killing is becoming commonplace outside the womb? Although Roe V Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court, it’s disheartening the see people clawing back their so called ‘right’ to take an innocent life; even to the moment of birth. This heinous effort is now being led by the vice president of the United States; Kamala Harris.
Women will protest (with support of many men) for their ‘right to choose’, proclaiming “My body, my choice.” I suppose we can grant the right to choose; except to anyone who claims to be a Christian.
…do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? That’s 1 Corinthians 6:19
Fortunately, God is always willing to forgive. It doesn’t matter if we’ve committed violence out in the world or inside the womb.
Jesus said, The thief (meaning the devil) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly. That’s found in John 10:10
God sent Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins. All we need to do is put our faith in Him by inviting Jesus into our lives. If you’ve never done that, what are you waiting for?
