Guiding Our Children in a War-torn World

We can’t hide it forever. You know, this violent world in which we live. Sooner or later, we have to talk with our children and reassure them God is alive.

By the time I caught up on the family text thread last week, 117 messages of dismay had been shared between the siblings about Paris.

Welcome to adulthood, kids.

Welcome to the modern world, mom.

Of course, every mother in every generation has faced a world of suffering.

Death by beast.

Death by plague.

Suffering by rape.

Suffering by murder.

Every generation. Every mother. Plenty to hide from young ears and eyes.

Death by terrorist seems new, but it’s not. We may define modern terrorism in a particular way because of Oklahoma City.

And New York.

And Kenya.

I know the images are hard to see, but our children have these photos streaming into their hands in real time.

We have to look and think it through.

We have to remember that from the beginning of time, groups of humans have hated and raided; raged and warred. Yet, Christ still wins.

We’re unwise to pin terror on a single group because in every nation and in every era, humans have terrorized.

Massacre by guillotine. France’s terror in the 1700’s.

Massacre by lynching. The Klansman’s terror in the 1800’s.

Massacre by concentration camp. Hitler’s terror in the 1900’s.

The videos are enlightening. Watch them and learn. And remember, Christ wins.

He saves sinners who kill. He comforts mourners who grieve.

Yes, even amid massacre by machine gun at a café and a concert.

Christ’s mercies are being felt in this 2015 chaos. Offspring of mine, Christ wins.

From the City of Love there’s a lesson: Terror by crucifixion is the answer. It’s the ironic answer to all the sin and suffering we see.

So let the Savior’s sacrifice spur us on. Let his timeless words bring us comfort. Let his love be our light and let’s share that love wherever we go.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. John 13.35

 I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” John 16.33