On November 13, 2015 the world exposed its true nature: broken. I sat at my desk at work when my phone alerted me to what was occurring in Paris, and as I turned to the news to watch what was unfolding, I also began checking breaking news from that entire day. This is when I discovered much more happened that day than just the tragic events in Paris.
In Baghdad, another suicide bombing took place during a funeral which took the lives of 19 people and injured nearly 30 others. Over 40 people lost their lives in Lebanon, with over 200 injured in a suicide bombing. There were earthquakes in both Mexico and Japan. And finally there was Paris. In a coordinated attack, a group of terrorists attacked a highly populated area of the capital of France. This attack took the lives of over 100 people and injured over 300. This was not an act of war. This was a mindless slaughter of innocent civilians.
It didn’t take long for the hashtag #PrayforParis became one of the top trends on Twitter. During the night, as the Eiffel Tower was not lit, major tourist attractions across the world lit up in a blue, white, and red to symbolize their support of France in this dark time. And now the world braces itself as the world powers move to end this organization’s reign of terror. Yet, what role should the Church play in light of these events?
Comfort:
In Matthew 5:4 Jesus puts it like this, “Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” In this time, the world needs to be reminded how comforting God is. They need to know that He empathizes with His creation when they are hurt and suffering. As the Church though, we are to come alongside and do life with people, both in the mountain tops and the valleys. Paul in Romans would say, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” This is the description of how the Church must operate in the seasons of life, and right now the world needs the Church to weep with, and comfort them.
Defend:
Typically in events like this, many would immediately want to take up arms and lash back at what attacked first. Not that justice should not be sought out, but to the forefront should be a defense of those that have been hurt. “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of poor and the oppressed.” -Psalm 82:3 As the Church may we acknowledge the importance of defending those who can not defend themselves, or have been harmed by outside forces.
Love:
As the people of God we are called to love as Christ first loved us. But like the love of the Father, our love is also not to be exclusive. It is to be for all mankind to love and serve them. Sometimes though, we forget who all is included in the all inclusive love of God. Jesus would say in Matthew 5:44 that, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” May we respond in love to both the victim and the aggressor, interceding in prayer that God might have His will done for both.
Final Thoughts:
May the Church acknowledge how we should respond in these trials that are ever present in our world today. Being mindful that the day is coming when “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. And death shall be no more, neither shall be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” -Revelation 21:4 Until that day, let our actions be a reflection of the character of our God, and let us learn to come alongside the broken in this season of life our world is currently in.
Sloan Stephenson 