Tragedy

I write this blog post with a heavy heart. I just got back from the visitation service of Brad Odens, a friend of mine from youth group and high school. While Brad was a couple years older than me, we bonded in youth group as for a couple years we were two of a small group of boys in a mostly girl youth group. He was a fun loving, quiet guy who loved to have fun. Lots of good memories were had with him both at church and at school in the HHS band. Like I told his parents tonight, I have nothing negative to say about Brad, he was a great man.

This whole situation has me thinking a lot about tragedy. It is almost cliche to ask "why does bad things happen to good people" However, this question burns into my mind as this happened to a family who has been good to our family and to the church as a whole. His parents are two of the nicest people in church. Brad, while obviously did not make wise decisions all the time (does anyone?), was also a great man. They are a family who knows and fears God...did a freak accident like this need to happen to them?

One of the great revelations I have had when it comes to situations like this is that God deeply cares about these happenings. He sheds tears right along with the family and friends who hurt with Brad's passing. While I think God rejoices to be with His children in heaven, I know that He does not delight in seeing a child of his have life end prematurely...He does not delight in seeing family and friends hurt that a child,brother, and friend has passed on. I believe God loves all people with all of his heart...there is no way the God I serve is indifferent to such a tragedy.

So I reflect upon the cliche question...bad things happen because sin is on our Earth. Because God loved us enough to give our own free will, situations like this happen. Sometimes things happen that we don't think are fair, and to be honest they are not fair a lot of the times...however, God's gracious gift of free will opens the door for us to make poor decisions. Sometimes people can live a life full of poor decisions and enjoy a long, relatively happy life. Other times, one poor decision can lead to a consequence that will forever change the lives of those involved.

My heart goes out to the Odens family, may God give them peace, comfort, and allow them to grieve for the loss of a dear son and brother. My heart also goes out to the shooter, who was operating in self defense. While I do not agree with his decision to shoot Brad, he obviously was scared for his life so I don't think he needs to be charged. However, I do think he needs much prayer...how awful to have to live with this for the rest of his life. Justified or not...he took the life of a human being, not something easy to deal with. I pray that he also finds comfort and peace that can only come from God.

This touches a button for me as far as my feelings on gun control, but I find this post not to be an appropriate place to write about such issues. May such tragedies remind us to have an open mind to this sensitive political issue.

Please take a moment to thank God for the life you have, it truly is a gift and something that should not be taken for granted.