In light of the recent shooting attack in Orlando, I was reminded of the first real event in my life where I saw the world as “dark” and mankind losing their “moral compass.”
I was 15 years-old and in the eighth grade when I heard that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into Columbine High School armed with guns, leaving 13 people dead (including themselves) and 20 wounded.
It was that day where Cassie Bernall and Rachel Scott became martyrs and were asked the question “Do you believe in God?” To which both answered with a strong, resounding, unashamed “YES,” before the trigger was pulled.
From that single event, I’ve only watched society further decline, and levels of violence increase to bring us to our current day state where the hatred of some and men and women is so strong that they kill without feeling any sense of remorse. My Facebook bleeds with violent acts every single day.
I see postings of “More Love, Less Hate” etc. But it begs the question of “What is love?” Love is not toleration or full on acceptance of one another’s belief system or way of life, which is how modern society wants to label love.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthian 13: 4-8 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
And while I know some readers may not believe in God or the Bible, as a Christian I do. And it’s my belief that we are where we are today because mankind decided they could live life on their own terms and make their own own moral compass.
It also says in 1 John 4:8 “Anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love.”
I think it’s time to return to the source of love where we “love our enemies” and are willing to sacrifice all we are to show love like Cassie Bernall and Rachel Scott who said “yes,” knowing it would cost them their lives.
My prayers and thoughts go out to the families of the victims in Orlando.