Tears and Sunshine

We had a beautifully sun-shiny day yesterday here in Texas. All week long I have walked around in a daze, not quite fully grasping the immensity of the attack at VT. Usually an emotional watershed during Hallmark commercials, I couldn't seem to cry this week. I suppose that my heart wrestled a little with the normal shock of such a tragedy and the brokeness of not being able to personally minister to those involved. God's words gently reminded me throughout this week, though, that He will be glorified in all things. John 11:4 says this:

When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."

Mary and Martha sought out Jesus because their brother, Jesus' beloved friend Lazarus, was ill. Jesus' response? "This sickness will glorify me!" As I have read more about what has happened within the Campus Crusade for Christ Ministry, I have begun to realize an important truth. While the majority involved with the ministry might not be suffering a physical illness, this week's tragedy certainly touches them in a personal way. They lost brothers and sisters--present and future leaders in the ministry. But God will be glorified! No, this sickness--this appalling attack on God's creation--will not end in death. Dear sweet Molly, who I do not know personally, glorified Christ on national television! Several of the murdered students left behind incredible testimonies of Christ's presence in their lives! And, since the incident, at least 40 students have come to know Christ! No, this sickness will not end in death. This is for God's glory so that JESUS may be glorified through it!

I still believe that God has mighty plans for VT and for the ministries there. Please pray fervently that we will see a campus led revival that we have not seen in decades break out on this campus. Jesus Christ will be glorified!

I finally cried today. I sang a "special" at church this morning, something I haven't done in (literally) years. At the end, I started a prayer..."Lord, you are the only one..." and that's as far as I got. The tears finally broke through, and as the Praise Team started singing without me and while I struggled, Jesus calmed my soul. I joined in just as we hit the chorus:

"One day every tongue will confess You are God; One day every knee will bow. Still, the greatest treasure remains for those, Who glady choose You now."

I started picturing those sweet brothers and sisters in Christ, celebrating together before the throne of God joyfully unharmed and enjoying His presence. God is being glorified and He will continue to do so.

There is sunshine in my soul today...