the need

Today is my “Newsday.” This is where I write about… a news story. Go figure. Honestly it’s not my favorite topic since the news that’s out there generally drags me down. Anyway, I’ll give it a try.

Today’s story is taken from Channel 27’s (ABC) website. In one sense it’s good news yet, at the same time, very disturbing. The story happened yesterday at East High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin where two teens, both 17 years old males, were arrested for plotting an attack on their school… much like the attack at Columbine seven years ago.

The good news is their plot was thwarted. The bad news is there was a plot that needed to be thwarted. Police, who raided the youths’ homes, found a myriad of weapons and other paraphernalia… all related to inflicting damage to property and people alike. Along with the gear, police also found suicide notes. The two teens are currently being held with charges pending. Incident averted… emotions accosted.

Reflecting on this story, I wonder, “Why?” Then again, I wonder, “Why not?” I mean, here we are, living in a society that devalues life and glorifies death. In another article, I found there is an internet video game based on the high school shootings at Columbine. Yes, two teens are being glorified as cult heroes for… killing others and themselves. Honestly, I think there is a reason for these outbreaks. I believe, on a heart level, these youths are crying out for the very thing needed by all people… acceptance, love, and being valued for who they are.

Kids are literally willing to die to be valued. “Look at me! I’m somebody!” It’s a cry that screams out of youth everywhere. It’s the same cry that fuels the rage that manifests in these acts of violence and hopelessness. In trying to gain a sense of well-being and control, they forfeit their very lives as well as others. Dear God, how do we address something so deep rooted… so painful?

These youth need something to live for… instead of die for. Personally, I believe that only comes as they experience the love of God shown through those who bear the name of Christ. It comes from a people who are willing to value and honor those who the world says are unworthy of value and honor. It comes as the children of God reach beyond their warm homes and venture into the cold streets of despair and hopelessness.

What can we do? Instead of just putting another check in the offering plate, ask God, “Would you send me to be a light to someone in darkness?” Then be ready to accept His call. Are you ready? He is, and so are they.

Love is one of the Christian’s secrete weapons. It’s what melts the coldest heart. It’s what motivates the weak to feats of strength. It’s the healing balm that is needed for a culture looking for hope, love, and acceptance in a world that offers fear, hatred, and rejection.

What would have made this story a “good story” is if, instead of the police, a group Christ followers would have reached out to these youths, touched their souls and loved them into the Kingdom. What would have been awesome is if these teens would have been able to share that, like the Apostle Paul, God’s love stopped them from completing their plan of terror. Then again, maybe it was the prayers and love of God’s people that kept yet another tragedy from happening.

Events like Columbine and the failed attack at Green Bay are not going to be resolved by government programs and even the allowance of prayer in schools. What will turn the tide is when the children of the living God step up to their God-given mandate to love. Love the unlovely, love the outcast, and love those forgotten by the lime light. Am I saying not to pray? No way, we can’t love without seeking God for the empowerment of His Holy Spirit. What I am saying is we can’t wait until prayer is popular or accepted by society in order to do it. In the same vein we can’t wait until loving others is popular either. For Christ did not come into this world to be accepted by it, but to offer hope, love, and acceptance to a fallen and desperate people. These fallen and desperate people are those around us who do not know the love the God shown through Jesus Christ. How will they know Him if they do not see Him and how will the see Him unless we go in His name?

Father, please open our eyes to the hurting around us. Empower us to love those who feel unloved, unvalued, and unwanted. Heal our own wounds of feeling these ways as we heed your call to apply healing oil on the wounds of others. Fill us with your love as we in turn pour that love and hope out to those around us, especially the outcast and hurting. Amen.