1 Peter 3:8-11
Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. Don’t be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God’s chosen ones, and he will bless you. The Scriptures say,
“Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On July 20, 2012, a deranged individual in Aurora, Colorado, entered a movie theater and shot 70 people, killing twelve of them. Almost immediately, people began to ask, “Why? What caused this person to become so mentally unstable… so sick and violent?” Many began to call for his execution… for swift and speedy retribution for his heinous crimes.
A few days later, survivors of another horrific shooting… this one in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011… spoke publicly about their ordeal after the shooter pled guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. This shooter was also psychologically unsound. Several of his victims noted after the sentencing that what they wanted… to bring back those who died… was not possible. They stated that they believe this sentence represents the best outcome, as this killer will never be free to harm anyone else. As one victim put it, he has learned to follow three steps… to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. He said, “I think today that first step was achieved… and the second step was put into play. If we all take that third step, then our society will be a lot better to live in.”
To hear victims of such a horrendous shooting speak with peace and hope truly echoes the words of this scripture passage from 1 Peter. That those who were wounded as they stood alongside others who did not survive can stand and publicly say, “This is the best outcome we could have expected… we can put this behind us now,” exemplifies treating everyone with kindness. These people are not trading “insults” (and I use this word respectfully) and hate for what was given to them. These individuals genuinely want to be happy… to move forward and humbly give of themselves to others. And in order to do this, they have to release the hatred, pain and insults that have been hurled in their direction.
Surely, if victims of these unimaginable, gruesome crimes can do this… we can operate this way in our daily living. Few if any of us have experienced this level of abuse and mistreatment. But the insults and hatred we spew toward those in our path can be just as hurtful. The lies we tell, the unkindness we wield, the arrogance and piety with which we conduct our lives can all have incredible consequences…damage our reputations… and grieve God.
I honestly believe that God is at work in both of these dreadful experiences. He is using the victims of these shootings to show those of us who, by comparison, have incredibly small problems how to walk humbly in love, kindness and truth. These folks are showing us that we make mountains out of molehills. And many of us are operating in evil and wouldn’t know peace and happiness if it hit us over the head!
It’s time to change. We can, you know! The first step for us is to do what the Tucson shooting victim suggested… to live justly… to treat others fairly and with kindness and humility. In the same breath, I believe we must seek the mercy of God for our own life – and our own mercy for the lives of others. We must then strive to humbly walk with God every single day. We can do this… but we cannot do it on our own.
Where do you fit into this picture? Are hatred and insults eating you alive, or are you walking with God in peace and happiness? As Pastor Joel Osteen likes to say, “Are you a victim, or a victor?” The choice is yours… which will you decide?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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