Today America experienced a devastating tragedy. Innocent lives were taken as chaos erupted. Lives have been shattered. For many, the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises was long awaited and looked forward to. Batman fans across the US filled the seats in countless theaters for the exciting film that would complete the trilogy. What was supposed to be a time of enjoyable entertainment, evolved into a horrific nightmare that I hope will not soon be forgotten. I hope it stays with us for a while. Makes a think, makes us mourn, and makes us pray. While I know that this is not the first devastating massacre America has faced in its history and it probably won’t be the last, it is vital that we grasp this moment in its entirety and never forget it. For this crushing event is a reminder that evil not only exists - It surrounds us.

The media has provided a variety of coverage on the trauma that took place earlier in the day. They have done an incredible job of keeping the American people updated as they deliver the details and facts as new developments are uncovered. Yet, I feel as if there are some very important things that have been left unsaid. . .

 Americans in Colorado were forced to be victims of something malicious and cruel. And while this malevolent crime may not seem to directly affect us, it should still affect us. You see, that could have been you. That could have been me. Instead of the crime scene being in someone’s hometown in Colorado, it could have been your hometown or mine. It could have been you seated inside a theater, popcorn in hand, enjoying the latest film of a much loved super hero. It could have been your son or your daughter present in the theater as a demented shooter wreaked havoc. It could have been your mom, your dad, your husband, your wife, your sibling, your friend.

 Our souls should become filled with deep sorrow for the lives lost because of the heinous crime that was committed. Does your heart ache for these people? Mine does. But while this is a time of mourning and a time of reflection, the solemn moments that follow this heartbreaking day should be spent in earnest prayer. And while evil has slowly crept into our country and showed its ugly face, we must not forget that all of the darkness in the world cannot put out the light of a single candle.

 Darkness may seem to overcome light now, but a time is coming where a light so bright, and so wondrous will shine upon the entire world. That light is Jesus Christ. He has already overcome and when He returns, He will return as a Victor. He will prove that while evil has corrupted, stained and defiled so many, in the end, it will not win. Hatred, evil, and destruction may seem to reign now, but they will not always do so. Evil will be overcome with good. All that is right and true will be triumphant and, sin and death will be overwhelmed by the tremendous conqueror, the triumphant Jesus Christ.

This truth, is my hope. It reminds me that, although I may be surrounded by overwhelming circumstances, I do not have to be overtaken by them. These circumstances do not have to steal my compassion and do not have to hinder my love. And most importantly, they cannot destroy my faith in God without my own consent.

If anything, these tumultuous times ought to drive us to take action. To stand taller, to speak louder, and to live truer. If ever there were ever a time to be a proclaimer of the truth, it is now. And while the rest of the world may lose hope as the age seems to grow worse and worse with its widespread corruption and deception, I won’t. Because my hope is in Jesus. With the tragedy that has occurred this morning, I find the following words from the Bible echoing in my mind. I claim these verses and I hold them in my heart.  

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. HE shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth as noonday. . . because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” –Psalm 91

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” –Psalm 27

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake within the swelling thereof. Selah.” –Psalm 46

 Passive faith is of no use, it has no purpose and no meaning. The faith that will make a difference in perilous times is a faith that is alive. A faith that steps out expecting the incredible from God and attempting the unthinkable for God. A faith that gives more and fears less. It believes instead of doubts, loves deeper, gives freely, and never forgets there is always hope. It reaches for the seemingly unattainable and settles for nothing less than the very best God has. It is a faith that is spoken and acted upon. It is a faith that takes a stand.

 It’s not just any faith.

It’s a reckless faith.

And I want it to be mine.

Lately I’ve been on a quest. It has been long and tiring. I’ve been searching for some certainty, for a little more stability in those areas of my life that have been looking a bit shaky. What have I uncovered in this draining pursuit of mine? Well, a lot of things.

It was early in the morning. All was quiet and still. The sun had just risen, casting a glorious glow across the sky. Sitting on the back porch, I noticed the beautiful array before my eyes, but didn't really take the time to appreciate it. I was too busy. Too busy sending a long, detailed, prayer up to Heaven. It was a heartfelt, earnest plea, a cry concerning some pretty important things. But while I prayed this prayer of mine there was a questioning tone in my voice that I didn't like. I wished it would go away. But, it didn't. There was too much doubt inside my heart, too much fear. Until they were gone things just weren't going to be OK. That much I knew.

Sighing, I continued to pray until I ran out of words to say. (A rarity, I admit.) Reaching for the devotional book I was using, I found my brightly colored book mark and settled back into the chair to read the portion for that day. "I hope this is good. Because I need something really good today. . . ", I mumbled to the ant crawling along the patio floor.

I began to read, and as I did, I sat up a little straighter and read a little more carefully. It was about Amy Carmichael - she has always been a role model of mine. Her story is remarkable, the impact she made for Christ is extraordinary, and her heart – well, it was beautiful. Her story never grows old; and after reading the devotional focused on a specific moment in her life, it simply became more and more amazing to me.

Having set sail for India where she would begin a lifelong ministry to the broken, abused, and orphaned, Amy was literally surrounded by a sea of uncertainty. While she knew her God was leading her in this direction, she did not know the whats, the whys, or the hows. She only knew that she must trust Him.

On August 25, 1894 Amy penned these words to a friend after journeying across the world to her mission field –

“All along, let us remember, we are not asked to understand, but simply to obey. On July 28, Saturday, I sailed. We had come on board on Friday night, and just as the boat where were the dear friends who had come to say goodbye was moving off, and the chill of loneliness shivered through me, like a warm love-clasp came the long-loved lines – ‘And only Heaven is better than to walk with Christ over moonless seas.’ I couldn’t feel frightened then. Praise Him for the moonless seas - all the better the opportunity for proving Him to be indeed the El Shaddai, the God who is enough.”

While life’s uncertainties may seem intolerable, consuming, and unbearable, they don’t have to be. The worst of any pain or frustration we feel is not from uncertainty itself, but from our stubbornness and resistance to, as Corrie Ten Boom once put it, “trust our unknown future to a known God.” Our refusal to be totally and completely reliant upon Christ and to submit to whatever plan He has for us, is the cause of our pain and frustration. And the effect? Insecurity, doubt, and fear. It is when we have become engulfed by the unknown and surrounded by ambiguity, that we can clearly perceive the all-sufficiency of our God.

Life is meant to be meaningful not predictable. Every step along the path is what our journey consists of. How would we live the life of faith if we knew where our every step was leading to? If we fully trust God with all aspects of our life, we don’t have to worry about today, or tomorrow, the next day, or the next . . . all that we have to do is watch. Watch as He writes the story of our lives. Each page, purposefully written by our Creator, planned and crafted to unfold a remarkable journey that brings glory to Him.

This is what I have uncovered, the treasure I have found during my search, the lesson I have learned. . . Sometimes the only way we can truly learn to trust in God is when we have no other choice. Sometimes those "moonless seas" are exactly what we need to realize who our God is and what He is capable of.

Sometimes it has to be dark so that we can see the Light.

"All the way my Savior leads me,
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me,
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way."