Person-2-Person - December, 2022

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” – Mother Teresa

Mass shootings are in the news again: in schools, places of worship, entertainment venues, workplaces, and more. As we enter the season of preparation for Christ’s birth, it’s hard to reconcile our present reality with “on earth peace, good will to men.” (Luke 2:14b KJV). It certainly isn’t a traditional Christmas/Advent sentiment. But the story of Jesus’s birth is also a story of infanticide (Matt. 2:16-18), so it has its dark side. Most of us can’t fathom what would lead someone to commit such acts, but experts can give us a clue.

Back in 2015, political commentator Chris Matthews asked Dr. Park Dietz, a forensic psychiatrist, what makes people go on shooting rampages? Dr. Dietz said these people share certain characteristics: They blame others for their problems. They can have a history of grievances and lawsuits. They might be suicidal or have other psychological problems. They “collect injustices and grievances.” They keep a record of wrongs.

Matthews then asked what makes them different from the rest of us who don’t go on rampages? Again, Dr. Dietz said these people have certain characteristics in common: They are less flexible, they don’t “roll with the punches.” They might have issues with substance abuse. They often don’t have friends, family, a support network. I would add that they sometimes don’t have a spiritual foundation.

When these acts occur, we hope to hear that someone acted “in the nick of time” to stop the shooter, like in movies and TV shows, and sometimes someone does. But often, no one, not even the authorities on whom we depend, acts until it’s too late. Some potential victims might be saved but others are not.

Our God is often a God of the last minute. When God called on Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac (Gen. 22:2), he had no idea what would happen. But just as he took hold of the knife to slay his son, an angel said to him, “‘Abraham! Abraham!’” (vs. 11). The angel told Abraham that “‘Now I know that you fear God,’” (vs. 12b New International Version), and God provided a ram instead (vs. 13). And when the people of Israel were fleeing from captivity, they were caught between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army (Exod. 14:9). As they saw the Egyptians approaching, they began to panic (vs. 10-12). But Moses told them, “‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.’” (vs. 13b NIV). He stretched out his hand over the Sea (vs. 21), the water receded, and the Israelites were able to cross on dry ground (vs. 22).

Different commentators have different ideas about why God waits until the last minute: To make us grow/transform us, to emphasize our dependence on God, to make us grateful, so that God can display God’s glory. Likewise, God sent Jesus at the last minute. The world needed a savior. But God waited.

Paul wrote that Jesus came “. . . at just the right time, when we were still powerless,” (Rom. 5:6a NIV), and that he was sent “. . . to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” Eph. 1:10b NIV).

Jesus was born “in the nick of time,” into a world that was cut off from God’s holy “support network” by sin (Isa. 59:2). God sent Jesus as a mediator to reestablish that connection (1 Tim. 2:5). Jesus promised his disciples he would send “another Comforter” (John 14:16b KJV) so they would never be abandoned (vs. 18). Along with other believers, this holy “support network” means when we inevitably have trials, we will have help enduring them. James wrote, “. . . we count as blessed those who have persevered.” (Jas. 5:11a NIV).

Remember that people who go on shooting rampages often don’t have a support network. Not only can we draw strength from our own connections, from our faith, we can be a source of strength. We can be part of a support network for others. We can pray and offer strength and comfort. Advent is about connection and belonging. It’s about hope and redemption. It’s about God’s love. And that’s a message worth sharing.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people . . . For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.” (1 Tim. 2:1, 5-6 NIV.)

(Based partly on a sermon I preached on October 2, 2022)