If you have been following the news, you will no doubt have heard of the horrible shootings that took place in Colorado Springs and Arvada, CO on Sunday. The story is chilling and I have provided a link to the article, most recently updated on Yahoo this evening, in case you haven't heard about this tragedy.
Just the thought, of someone, entering a church, or church property, carrying a weapon, intending to use it and actually pulling that trigger chills me to the bone. Church is the safe place in our world, or at least I always thought it should be. As I sat in church yesterday, it never occurred to me that someone might want to do us evil, might be lurking at the door, enter our sanctuary and end lives. Never, ever a thought of it - but even as I sat in my church, this very thing, this very bit of evil from the devil himself was taking place.
As chilling as this whole scenario is to me, it is made even more so by the fact that one of my very best friends in this world is a member of this particular church. As I learned of the event, I immediately called him - to see how he, his wife and two precious children were, if they were there, and what I could do. I am on my knees tonight, thanking our Lord for His great care and providence. He sent snow on Saturday and my sweet friends opted to skip church and stay home Sunday. Some would say it was a lucky break, a coincidence, fate...we know better. We know that God protected them. I am so thankful - just the thought of this family being there when gunfire was erupting is more than this heart can bear. Even though they were not in attendance, their grief and shock is still numbing. Imagine having to deal with the aftermath of such an event. How I will pray for them on this coming Sunday. As you sit in your pew this Sunday, please take a moment to pray for my friends and the other members of this church. Pray that they will experience peace of heart and mind as they worship the Prince of Peace.
Churches should be sanctuaries and I guess they are, but this is just a reminder that we need to always be aware of Satan at the door. I know he would like nothing more than to scare people from attending worship. What a boon for his twisted kingdom if people did not gather for worship - especially at this time of year. I am sure the devil thinks he has won some battle here, in all of our minds and hearts, I am praying that we all squash his hopes on this battlefield.
With a heavy heart,
Merry, Merry
Beverly
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