This week has seen several terrorist attacks. They appear to have been carried out or inspired by ISIS. There have been attacks in Lebanon, Yemen, the Jordan/Syrian border crossing, and the airport in Istanbul. There have been more than 90 people who have been killed this week. The lives that have been lost are from different faiths, different ages, and men and women. It is hard to fathom how to stop these attacks and it can be frightening. I can not begin to imagine the grief that many families throughout the world are experiencing because of violence that has claimed lives over the past month from Orlando to Istanbul.
It is all the more maddening because I feel so very helpless in the face of these crimes. But, there are some things over which I have control.
First, I choose if my response is driven by hate or love. I feel that to act out of hate or malice puts me on the same side as the terrorists, albeit with far less violence. I refuse to allow terrorists to harden my heart to any person or group in the world – including them.
Second, I choose whether or not to live in fear. I refuse to allow terrorists to keep me a prisoner – held captive by the fear they induce. I will not live in fear.
Third, I choose whether or not I pray. I choose how much, when, and for whom I pray. I refuse to allow terrorists to prevent me from going to God each and every time that they act.
Finally, I choose whether or not I live. It is true, that someone or something can kill me at any moment. But only I have the choice of living in each moment. I will live fully until I am fully dead and in that moment I believe I will enter into life eternal where I will live and love forevermore.
But…while I am here on earth, I will love, I will pray, and I will live.
God, we ask for Your grace on all of those who grieve. Be with those who are wounded and those who continue to have nightmares. Be with those whose hearts are full of hatred and help us to find a way of peace.
