Yesterday, my heart was broken at the news of the senseless shooting at the Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas. It’s a horrible thing whenever innocent people lose their lives, especially in a place built for worship and praise to the most high God. One of the things that struck me when I was reading the news report was that the gunman walked up to servers during the communion service and opened fire. Did you get that? These Christian men met their Maker while serving during worship!
Most people think that it’s degrading to “serve” someone else – especially if they’re not getting paid for it. But, Paul urged the Galatians to “serve one another, humbly, with love.” (Galatians 5:13) Serving one another is an honor and a privilege. Jesus said, “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11) He demonstrated this principle when He humbled Himself and willingly served His disciples by washing their feet. (John 13:1-10) When Israel sinned, Samuel told them “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He hath done for you.” (I Samuel 12:24) He gave His life on the cross for you and for me.
These fellow servants of Christ in Texas died serving. May their families find comfort and peace in this knowledge. “Give me the heart of a servant. . .” God Bless, Courtney
That was indeed a senseless act of violence and our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who lost their lives. Our Lord and Savior will not miss the fact that 2 of His children died in service to Him. My family will also be praying for those who lost their lives in this senseless act of violence. Every word you penned is spot-on.
We should also pray for the family of the shooter. They too lost a loved one and now have to live with the knowledge and stigma of what he did. It could be so easy to write that part of the story off, but for all we know the shooter’s family could be completely devastated over his actions. They too could be in complete dismay and wondering why this happened just like the rest of us. Even the kindest and most compassionate of people can have a child, brother, sister, etc. who goes against every value the family holds dear and act in ways none of the rest would. So please keep the shooter’s family in your prayers as well and don’t judge the whole family by the actions of one of its members.
The shooter will now face God in judgment and answer for the lives he took that day. We should mourn for him because his life ended with him in the state of an unrepentant murderer who took the lives of to innocent men; our brothers in Christ. Hopefully none of us will get satisfaction out of knowing that this man died in a lost condition. As Christians we KNOW what fate awaits those who never obeyed the Gospel and those who obeyed and then went back into a lifestyle of sin. We have reason to be glad he was stopped before killing anyone else, but we should also be saddened that a lost soul will stand in judgment before Almighty God.
The shooting was terrible, but thanks for pointing out that the men died while serving–What a way to go!! I pray their families and friends will find some comfort in that. God bless them all.