I Stand For Peace

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

I heard of the news of the multiple shootings that have taken place so far this year. I heard the news of the school shooting in Texas that has taken the lives of 19 children so far. I have heard the different speeches of government leaders that are pleading for a change. I heard the comments of coworkers who are heartbroken at the news and wonder what is happening to this country. According to NPR: "A reported 21 people were killed in an attack by a lone gunman at an elementary school in the small town of Uvalde, Texas. At least 19students and two adults were among the casualties. The attack at Robb Elementary occurred just two days before summer break, according to the school's calendar that listed May 26 as the last day. The school taught students in grades 2 through 4 and around 600 students attended." According to a report from CNN: "So far, two 10-year-olds and a fourth-grade teacher have been named publicly by relatives as among the dead. Authorities have identified all the victims, whose remains have been removed from the murder scene, and notified their families, Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Chris Olivarez said, telling CNN all those killed and hurt were in one classroom. Area hospitals treated at least 20 injured, they said Tuesday evening. Tuesday’s massacre is the second-deadliest school shooting since 2012, when 26 children and adults were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It is at least the 30th shooting at a K-12 school in 2022, according to a CNN tally." A comment was made to CBS by law enforcement: "After barricading himself inside a classroom, the gunman "started shooting children and teachers inside the classroom, having no regard for human life," Lt. Christopher Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety told CBS News."

Steve Kerr, whose father was gunned down by two extremists, has long been an advocate of social issues. Kerr spoke in an interview: "When are we going to do something?" Kerr questioned as he slammed his hands on the table in frustration, while holding back tears. "I'm so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families that are out there. I'm so tired. Excuse me. I'm sorry. I'm tired of moments of silence. Enough." I can't agree more! When is enough actually enough? There have been 27 school shootings so far this year. THINK ABOUT THAT! That means that there has been an average of 1.2 school shootings per week this year so far. Children are going to school, a place where they should be safe, and now have to be put through drills that simulate active intruders in case it happens. I think back to when I was in school. until 1999, the only drills I participated in was for weather and fire. After the Columbine shooting in April of 1999, drills for active intruders/shooters were put in place to be prepared for if it happened at our schools. I remember certain school districts putting in place a requirement for all backpacks or school bags to be clear/see-through. Some schools put metal detectors in, and added more school police officers. What do I remember the most, you may ask? I remember never being asked how these drills affect me, or my fellow students. In April of 1999 I was a fourth grader. I was the same age as the students in the classroom attacked in Texas. I can only imagine the horror and terror that went through in those moments.

Oh have you looked around; Have you heard the sound; Of Mama's cryin'; Or do you turn away; When you see the face; Of the innocent dyin'; In these darkest days; Are you not afraid; That it's too late; You gotta get down on your knees, believe; Fold your hands and beg and plead; Gotta keep on praying; You gotta cry, rain tears of pain

Pound the floor and scream His name; 'Cause we're still worth saving; Can't go on like this and live like this; We can't love like this; We gotta give this world back to God- Reba McEntire. Humanity makes my heart ache and makes my blood boil all at the same time. How are we able to be made in the image of God and live in a manner that is so hateful towards others? How do we justify choices, personal choices, that are fueled by evil? How has our country gone so far as to blame external influences, even though those influences did not physically do the act so heinous as to take life? As a Spiritual Caregiver, I have had my fill of not only talking about my not-always-great life journey as well as listening to others. The one thing I find myself constantly reminding others: Until someone wants to admit their choices and own them, a problem can't be fixed. The way our country has chosen to operate is under the disguise of vocal change with zero actions. Leaders use their words to tell the country they will fight for a change, yet their actions never match. Sure, some bills may go to the floor for a vote. Do we ever see anything positive?

Genesis 4:7 says, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” I look around the communities I have lived in. I have seen the faces of evil overpower those that don't think standing up to it is worth the energy. It takes courage, conviction, faith and strength to stand against evil. Evil has this twisted way of painting the wrong path with vibrant-fun-colors to make it seem so appealing. The right path is always lit bright yet may seem dull in comparison to the wrong path. Satan corrupts, especially in ways we never hold Satan accountable for. We forget that Satan attacks often because as Revelation 12:12 says: "Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” Satan is trying to gain full control of the earthly world we live in. James Robinson and Jay Richards stated beautifully: "The earth was not designed by God to be the devil’s playground. Never doubt Lucifer’s intent to take it over, control it, and ultimately destroy it." When I studied Demonics as part of my seminary schooling, the reality of the Earth being Satan's playground became increasingly clear.

We keep letting the same things happen over and over again expecting different results. Einstein wrote a theory about this. It is a theory taught in our schools. Even Jesus told his disciples that if a door was shut in their faces as they went out to spread the Good News, don't fight the door. wipe the dirt from their feet and keep moving. Our children deserve better. Our country and fellow mankind deserve better. God deserves better. I cannot stand by and continue to not speak up. That makes me part of the problem. Gun violence in our country continues to climb. The BBC put out an article on American Gun Culture in comparison to other countries. "Deaths from the "mass shootings" that attract international attention, however, are harder to track. While the country does not have a single definition for "mass shootings", the FBI has for over a decade tracked "active shooter incidents" in which "an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area". According to the FBI, there were 345 "active shooter incidents" in the United States between 2000-2020, resulting in more than 1,024 deaths and 1,828 injuries."

The big issue in the opinions surrounding gun control. There have been too many misconceptions about what gun control is or should be. By definition, gun control is: the regulation of the sale and use of firearms. I was raised in a family of outdoor folks/military and police personnel. I have been taught how to properly own a gun and to care for one. I was taught at a very young age that guns are not just "toys' ' or an object to be taken lightly. Guns can kill when used inappropriately. I am not one that opposes the possession of guns. Again, I have a family that are avid hunters. What I oppose is the way guns can be obtained legally. Why does anyone, other than military personnel, need to own an assault rifle? Did you know that 1 in 3 mass shootings in the US has been by someone who is legally prohibited from owning a firearm? Did you also know: "In the absence of a comprehensive federal law that requires background checks on all gun sales across the country, criminals, domestic abusers, and other prohibited people can easily avoid background checks in 29 states simply by buying guns from unlicensed sellers—including strangers they meet online?" What would happen if we could honor our right to bear arms while also putting regulations in place NATIONWIDE to help prevent. Yes, you can make the argument of "If someone truly wants a gun, they will find a way to get the gun." This is true. It cannot be the reason we choose not to act. By this logic, if someone is suicidal and they intend to take their life, they will find a way so we shouldn't try to stop it. If someone makes a threat to kill someone, they will find a way to do it so we shouldn't report it. SWISS CHEESE LOGIC: full of holes.

Mental health has played a huge role in multiple mass shooting incidents. We don't take the red flags and warning signs seriously. When they are rediscovered after the incident, all that happens is it being told to the news and then nothing done to help prevent it in the future. I stand with our men in blue and I want to make that very clear. Unfortunately there have been many times that law enforcement or even school officials have been told about problematic behavior. warning signs or red flags, and have failed to be able to act quickly. I think of Columbine and the many warning signs of the two boys who then performed a heinous massacre in their school. I look at Sandy Hook involving a young man that had known mental health issues and was a concern to family and community members. Virginia Tech involved a shooting: He had a history of mental illness. In November 2005 he received the first of several consultations with the university’s counseling center. The following month he was briefly held at a psychiatric hospital after a roommate feared he was suicidal. While there Cho was diagnosed with a mood disorder. Following his release, a court found him to be a danger to himself, and he was ordered to undergo outpatient treatment. University counselors noted that he was “troubled,” but he expressed no homicidal thoughts.

Our country needs to get a grip on mental health, violence and accountability. We need to find a way to actually walk the talk of many intelligent and well meaning people that are advocating for social issues. The next time you look at your children, you look at children in your neighborhood, children in the schools, children in the church, I want you to ask yourself: Am I okay with doing nothing to make this world better for them? Am I okay with sitting back and coming up with excuses to justify inaction because it is simpler than using my energy to fight for a better life for me and others? Am I willing to give this world back to God?