The Root of the Problem

On Saturday, I was saddened to learn of another mass shooting.

This one occurred in the state in which I live.

Then, less than 24 hours later, another occurred in a different state.

These tragedies are bad enough in and of themselves.

Yet in no time the media and people in general began promoting their own theories about what exactly is to blame.

Many pointed to violent video games and social media as the root cause.

On August 1, 1966 the first mass shooting in America took place.

This was decades before the advent of either video games or social media.

Others point to guns as the cause.

We must remember that others in the recent past have chosen explosives to kill their victims.

In fact, another nation with strict gun control laws has seen a record rise in the number of stabbings,

In my assessment, these killings are but symptoms.

Symptoms of a very serious disease that, left untreated, will only grow worse with time.

The problem, as I see it is two-fold.

Broadly speaking, we have grown distant from God.

Also, broadly speaking, we have forgotten how to love our neighbor.

So much so, that some have even grown to hate those that are not like them.

The question then becomes: What can we do about all this?

Well, when a sports team struggles, the coach often turns to the basics and the fundamentals.

Are there fundamentals to which we can turn?

Certainly!

Genesis tells us we are all made in God’s image.

Jesus tells us to love God and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

There was a song we all used to sing as children.

Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red and yellow. black and white

They are precious in His sight

Jesus loves the little children of the world

This is an excellent reminder even for adults.

Jesus extends His love to us regardless of our outer appearance.

That love is not limited by geography.

That love continues even when we grow up.

Ending the cycle of senseless violence is possible.

But it will only be possible if we are willing to go to the root cause.

We must draw near to God once more and sincerely ask His forgiveness.

We must learn to love our neighbors (all of them) as ourselves.

C. S. Lewis put it this way - “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.’”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 16, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 23, 2019