Last Monday, I was just getting ready to step out of my car when I heard the news about the shooting. I was heading into our Y Early Learning Center at San Antonio’s Haven for Hope. Our Y staff serves our homeless families here by taking care of their children while the adults attend various classes throughout the day. I have the honor of praying for and encouraging our staff in their work.
As I entered, we talked together about what was unfolding in Nashville, Tennessee. We were all sort of numb, thinking that once more, we were listening to another tragedy unfold. It seemed like just yesterday, our friends in Uvalde were undone by similar horrors. With heavy hearts, we pushed forward to go about our day.For so many in Nashville, they couldn’t go about their day. They experienced horrific sadness, fear and anger, tears, questions, absolute disbelief, and agonizing numbness. Their lives have been turned upside down. Those who have experienced a trauma like this know it all too well. I have seen it up close in my family. I have also seen God’s enormous grace and mercy in caring for those who hurt more deeply than most of us can imagine.
I have this innate need to want to make wrongs right. I want to get to the bottom of such craziness. I want to do something! In the middle of my anger, I see this verse in Scripture which partially feels hard: “Abhor what is evil…Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12;9, 21) I DO abhor evil. But, overcome evil with good? What????
Jesus extends the call to hate evil. Actually, no one hates evil more than Jesus does. No one on this earth has ever defeated evil, except for One, Jesus. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week with Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, with people yelling “Hosanna!" However, Jesus’ journey that week was terrifying. He was betrayed by his own disciple. He sat with his disciples at the Last Supper, knowing full well what was about to happen. He was arrested, ridiculed, spit on, beaten, and ultimately crucified. Yet throughout all the insults, scourging, and suffering, He did not retaliate. He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23) He is our example of overcoming evil with good.
It feels like evil won the day that Christ was nailed to the cross. He submitted himself to evil captors and there he died on the cross. Why would God allow such a death?
When we confront the trauma of Gethsemane, we will find a Savior who came to offer an answer to the evil of this world. He came to deal with the sin problem that each one of us has. God had a plan all along! “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
We do have hope in the death and resurrection of Jesus. And as we live in this world, we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus, offering love and care to those who are suffering. Our YMCA branches are sending cards to our colleagues in Middle Tennessee YMCA. Our Y kids are coloring “Nashville Strong” sheets to send to their children. We’re also committed to praying for those in Nashville. Of course, we can all do something, but it starts with the One who already did something, Jesus.
As Scotty Smith writes “We cling to you as our only good and adore you as our perfect Savior. Help us steward our anger, confusion, sadness, and fear. Help us hate only evil, by loving you more than we ever have.”And for that, I say a very hearty Amen.
In our grief, we cling to Jesus and the hope of heaven. Take a listen: https://www.youtube.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio
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