As I gazed upon the makeshift memorial at the half-staffed flagpole, the gray sky reflected the somber mood of those gathered. Students, parents, faculty, and community members assembled to offer flowers, cards, candles, and other gifts in tribute to the four lives lost at Apalachee High School. The community testified with tears, prayers, hugs, and silent stares. The terror of the days before is fresh in the minds of those present. As a mom of two high school students, a former teacher, and a chaplain in the Winder community, my heart still aches from the tragedy of Apalachee High School. As I saw those grieving, the sting of death met the strength of community. This paradox led me to examine how we should respond in the face of tragedy.

What can we learn from Cain and Abel? The act of murder is as old as sin itself. The very son of Adam took the life of his brother because God favored one offering. When the Lord viewed Cain’s offering as unfavorable, God warned him of his heart’s condition. Yet, Cain’s anger filled him and drove him to kill his brother Abel.

Violence Stems from the Heart
From the time of Cain until the present, we see how violence begins from within the person. Cultural, societal, psychological, and other factors can contribute to acts of violence (Joe P. Tupin. “The Causes of Violence By Individuals” DePaul Law Review. Volume 21. Issue 1 1971). These may include personal beliefs and educational level, family situations and influences, societal norms, and media exposure. Feelings of depression, isolation, and other emotional factors, as well as psychological components, are significant as well. According to the Violence Project, most mass shooters showed between one and four signs of crisis (theviolenceproject.org/keyfindings). Before Cain responds to Able, his face visibly burns with anger. In God’s warning to Cain in Genesis 4:6-7, He calls out Cain’s inappropriate thoughts and feelings. God questions Cain, not because He does not know Cain’s intentions, but rather because He wants Cain to self-reflect and change.

Violence Is Preventable
God warns Cain that if he does not do what is right, sin is crouching at his door. Cain’s responsibility is to rule over the anger and sin. Rather than recognizing his shortcomings and acting in faith, Cain responds with hatred. The result is his brother’s violent murder. Had Cain done what was right in faith, there would have been a different outcome. Because he did not heed God’s call, he fell under God’s curse. He became a restless wanderer, cast from the presence of the Lord and expelled from the land. This is only the first of many examples of violence within the Bible.

Jesus Overcame Violence through Love
Scripture reminds us that it was the world’s sin and hatred that placed Christ on the cross. Yet, it was Jesus’ love and obedience that held Him there. And the Father’s love and sacrifice that made the way for salvation. The crucifixion was the world placing its sinful hearts’ condition violently upon one man. When Christ rose from the dead, He proved that He has sovereignty over life and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). It is by His death and resurrection that those who believe in Him are set free from sin and become a new creation (Acts 13:38-39; 2 Corinthians 5:17). By His stripes, we are healed. God showed His love for us that while we were still in our sinful condition, Jesus died for us (Romans 3:23).

Love Conquers All
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He spoke to his disciples of a new way of life through the kingdom of God. His life and actions revealed a life centered on love. Jesus gave hope to those who needed it most. He loved the outcasts, the poor, the sinners, and the unclean. He gave the example of love through His acceptance, service, and sacrifice. It was by this way of love that Jesus commands us to love others. For it is by these acts of love that the world is to know that we are disciples of Jesus (John 13:34-35).

At the end of the day, we are a broken world in need of healing. The teen who committed the atrocious acts of September 4 needs the forgiveness of the Savior. Something in him made him feel such hate, anger, isolation, and turmoil that he responded in the most violent way he knew. What might have happened had he known love? Yet, God’s love, mercy, and grace are still within his grasp.

As the community of Winder, GA gathered in response to the shooting, they read Scripture and prayed. Strangers hugged strangers and offered support to one another. This love was a glimpse of God’s grace. It is a reminder for us to reach out to those who are weary and downtrodden. In times of crisis, it is often easy to reach out to the brokenhearted. However, the pain of sin is with us today. Recent history and social media show us the reality of our fallen condition. Fortunately, Christ came to heal the sick (1 Peter 2:24). When we show up in love through our words and actions, others can see the light of Christ in us.

5 Ways to Acknowledge the Needs of Others
1. Take Time to Notice those around you who might be hurting. Make yourself available to others through prayer and presence.
2. Observe eye contact, facial expressions, and body language. Those who are hurting often avoid eye contact and appear withdrawn.
3. Be Present in a Conversation by putting away electronic devices and other distractions.
4. Learn to listen with empathy. Let the goal of your conversation be to understand the person with respect and without judgment.
5. Show sensitivity in conversation and asking questions. Try to engage a person out of genuine interest in them rather than your own curiosity or concern.

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