This weekend, tragedy struck the campuses of the University of South Carolina and Clemson University as 7 students were killed in a beach house fire on Ocean Isle Beach, NC. 6 of the students were from USC and 1 was from Clemson. Their names have yet to be released, but the families have been notified.
Obviously, as word spread, students who knew those who were killed and the others who miraculously escaped the house were overcome with fear, emotion, questions, and deep grief. Even those of us who did not know the students are overcome with questions like, "God, how could You allow this?" Fair question.
Over the past couple of weeks, God has taught me to ask a new question that by no means is meant to belittle the situation, but rather a means of finding hope and evidence of His presence, even in tragedy.
The new question:"God, what are you up to?"
In the tragic death of our friend in Kentucky, we saw God at work. In the unbelievably tragic deaths of these college students, we will see God at work. Look what He is already up to at Midtown Fellowship, a church strategically located in downtown Columbia that God is using to reach hundreds of USC students.
There is much to grieve in this tragedy - lives lost, futures lost, friends lost, and sons and daughters lost. But maybe, just maybe, many will find rescue in Jesus. I don't even pretend to have answers for why God allows these things to happen. But, I know He allowed His Son to be beaten beyond the point of recognition, to be nailed to a cross where His blood poured profusely, and to die a criminal's death in spite of His absolute innocence.
But out of that tragedy, God brought about the greatest victory ever recorded. The same One who was beaten, nailed, and dead came ALIVE! And because of His death and resurrection, rescue is available to you and me. The Old Testament says, "Rescue is coming!" The gospels and the rest of the New Testament say, "Rescue is here and His name is Jesus!"
"Father, would you send Rescue to the campuses of USC and Clemson? Would you send Rescue to the families and friends of the victims? Would you send Rescue to all of us who hear of this and wonder what you are doing. Father, help us to trust you - admittedly, it's hard sometimes. Help us to see that you are good. That you are always at work to send Rescue into our lives. May it be so today, for your glory and your Kingdom. Amen."
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