Dear Cornerstone Family,
As I write this Pastoral Note, I am at the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, GA, awaiting my flight home to Nashville. I’ve been in Atlanta representing our denomination on the Permanent Committee of Mission to North America this week.
As the Lord would have it, it is the twenty-fourth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. I’m sitting by the window watching planes take off and land. It’s difficult to keep the horrific images of planes being weaponized for terror from flooding my mind.
Every year on this day, I see posts online: “Never forget.” For those who lived through it, how could we? The whole scene was so heart-rending. It’s etched in my memory forever.
At the same time, every week in our country acts of horrific violence take place. These acts are much smaller in scale than 9/11 and, in most cases, receive very little publicity. And yet, it’s a reminder that evil is real and alive in the world.
In recent days, we’ve witnessed the cold-blooded murder of a twenty-three-year-old refugee from Ukraine, Iryna Zarutska, in Charlotte, NC, as she simply rode on the train. Ironically, she and her family fled to the U.S. from Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion in 2022. Little did she know, she was fleeing toward danger in the U.S. while running away from the danger of the Russian invasion.
Then, on September 10, the assassination of public figure, Charlie Kirk, took place on the campus of Utah Valley University. Charlie Kirk was an outspoken Christian who contended for the truth of Scripture in the public square. Ironically, while answering a question about the prevalence of mass shootings, he was shot and killed on the scene.
This is to say nothing about the school shooting at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, CO, on the same day. As I’m writing, two are reported injured in that shooting, and the suspect is reported as dead.
I’ve spoken with several of you processing the grief you’re feeling. Thank you for reaching out. Let me say—it is right to feel grief. It is right to be overcome with sadness. It is right to lament, to pray for justice, to cry out to God, “O Lord, how long?” (Psalm 13:1). Grief is never to be disregarded. It must be felt, expressed, and ultimately given to the Lord, for he alone can bring healing and hope (I Thessalonians 4:13).
Ironically, our Savior, the Prince of Peace, was a victim of unjust horrific violence, yet that very act—the cross—the Father orchestrated to satisfy the righteous requirements of the law and save his people (Acts 2:23; Romans 8:3-4). Through the cross, the Lord is reconciling all things to himself (Colossians 1:20).
In the same way, evildoers may intend and perpetrate evil, but our God is in the business of turning all their intentions and actions on their head (Genesis 50:20). Remember, he works all things for the good of those who love him, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Knowing this, as we grieve, let’s grieve like Christians—with hope.
Grace & Peace,
