
When bad things happen all at once, fear tends to get the best of us. Several terrible things continue to happen in our country and around the world. The airplane collision with a U.S. Army helicopter on January 29th produced sadness, fear, loss, and pain. The news announced no survivors. All 60 passengers and four crew members, in addition to three service members, lost their lives. An accident, an unfortunate situation that will be heavily investigated to determine how to prevent this from recurring. While it is doubtful I know anyone on those flights, I have flown in the same type of aircraft and into Washington Raegan National Airport many times. My heart is heavy because of such tragic loss of life. I am sad.
The emphasis on immigration law enforcement, while common under current and previous administrations at various levels, has accelerated in recent days potentially displacing law-abiding undocumented immigrants. You may know someone who is affected, a family member, neighbor, or friend. Fear and loss become widespread. I've advocated for immigration reform for the past 25 years to no avail. Our immigration system remains flawed for people who seek a better life for themselves and their children in the United States. Many come without proper documentation to enter our country and risk disruption of their lives. Buckner International remains committed to serving vulnerable children and families on both sides of the border. We also pray for a better immigration system including a secure border, reasonable fines for those who enter without proper documentation, a humane process to return to one’s country of origin, permission to work in the USA for needed occupations, and a pathway to citizenship for those who qualify.
I grew up about an hour’s drive east of Los Angeles and have been checking on childhood friends and colleagues who live near the Southern California fires. I cannot imagine running for my life, protecting my family, and leaving my home behind to burn to the ground. I am grateful to Texans on Mission who are there to serve victims of this tragic fire. Many people lost their lives in the fire. I have colleagues in Pasadena and of course, Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena would be at risk. This is a fearful situation.
Victims of the hurricane flooding in North Carolina continue to struggle to recover from the aftermath of Helene. People living in the mountain villages of North Carolina were devastated, losing everything, and dealing with fires as well. Texans on Mission are there too.
We continue to observe the unimaginable loss of life in the Middle East, in Gaza, and Israel. The invasion of Russia in Ukraine and the subsequent conflict has accelerated the loss of life on both sides. We pray for resolutions to these conflicts and peace in the region.
Where do we turn for peace and hope with the disruption, loss of life, tragedy, pain, and grief at a time like this? The Psalmist said “I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains … God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.” Psalm 121, The Message.
Fear, loss, and grief are real today for many of us. But so is hope. I do not have any answers for why these events happened. But I have a reason for the hope in my heart despite all the loss. God is the strength of my heart and keeps me going, grateful for each day, grateful for each landing at an airport, grateful for life. I trust his ability to guard us even today.
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