It Starts with You

A lot going on around us.  3 things I will briefly mention.  The Oxford High School shooting, the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict, and Ahmaud Arbery verdict.  These are my thoughts, and the facts that I can dig up for the past weeks or so. 

Oxford school shooting.  Yet our nation faces yet another school shooting.  A 15-year-old brings a handgun to school and kills 4 people, and injuring many others, leaving a community in horror and a nation in shock. 

I can’t believe that I have to write about another mass shooting incident, it’s getting absurd and ridiculous.  I don’t care what side you are on with the gun issue, but this type of violence is horrific.  Other nations around the world that allow citizens to lawfully carry firearms do not seem to have this issue.  Canada has more guns than the United States, and yet we don’t see this from them.  European nations, like Switzerland has some of the most open carry laws in the world, and we don’t see this.  But in the United States, we see this.  It’s getting disappointing.  Is this a mental health issue?  If it is, then what more can be done to help people who feel mentally compromised and lost?  Or is this an education issue?  According to school peers this kid was not bullied, but teachers saw red flag signs.  Was he just a loner; maybe the quiet kid that people just didn’t seem to recognize?  If so, what can be done to change the culture in school social groups to help all students feel safe and welcome?  Or maybe this is a parenting issue?  Was he having issues at home?  And even if anyone one of the reason that I wrote are true, then why the decision to shoot up the school?

Again, in other countries there are kids who are loners, kids who feel unappreciated, or even bullied.  In other countries kids find themselves in abusive households,or feeling like they are in a broken home.  But nobody in the world sems to have school shootings as a yearly norm like we do in the United States. 

Have our nations citizen become so mentally fragile, that we feel violence is the way to be heard?  We can’t mentally overcome any hardships within our very lives?  Are we lacking community support when we feel overcomes with feelings of stress and depression?  I leaves these questions open to you all reading to find your answer.

Now, Kyle Rittenhouse is a case that so many factual information got lost in the media.  I am not praising this kid for what he done.  But also I do think he was left with no other options to the time of the fatal shootings.  As a Christian, it is MY belief that taking another person’s life is terrible.  I’d rather be sacrificed than kill, but again, that is me.  Rittenhouse, had every right to open carry at that time.  Rittenhouse was abiding by the law.  He even ran to the police line, before he was attacked.  He shot two people fearing for his own life, and hence took other’s lives. 

It is a terrible situation to be in.  But the question remains for me, is why in the world would he go there in the first place?  He said his intention was to help businesses, but that’s why we have police or maybe the reason why we need police.  Maybe he felt that the police were ineffective because of the protesting and rioting.  Was he going there to be a vigilante?  Or going there to act in justice?  Those are two things I honestly do not understand.  It’s not because I am a coward, but it is because vigilante justice are stuff that I leave it to God.  Everyone will be judged by God ultimately.  I also don’t understand why he is choosing to make headlines by being more public on social media and meeting Donald Trump.  In my opinion, if I took two people’s lives, regardless of it was because I was defending myself, I would be a nervous wreck, I would feel trauma from taking people’s lives.  Death is never to be praised.  Sometimes death happens, but it is unfortunate, even if it was necessary. 

I feel horrible about this outcome, but I feel worse that it has become a political issue.  I feel depressed that it has become a media sensation.  The facts are that a teenage boy had to take 2 peoples lives because he was helpless.  Lord help all that was involved.

Amaud Arbery is another heart breaking case.  Three men decided that he did not belong and “looked” suspicion.  They run him down in a truck to confront him to ask questions.  I don’t know about you, but usually when a stranger wants me to stop to ask a questions, I usually like to keep my distance, I would be feared about getting mugged.  These three men decided to take it upon themselves to evoke vigilante justice.  Three men are in jail and one person’s life is lost. 

Goodness gracious, what in the world is going on in our world, in our community.  In every one of these cases all I see is how fragilely minded we all are.  All I see is fear.  There is a reason why the most used commandment in the Bible is “do not fear.”  All these cases only fuels the necessity to fear all human beings.  That is heartbreaking.

We should never fear one another.  We should never feel that we need to be suspicious of another person, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, or orientation.  As Americans, we are above fear.  As Christians we are called not to fear.  On the day I am writing this is December 7th.  Who knows what significant event happened on this day?  Don’t google it!  We should all know!

December 7th is the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked.  The day that marked the United States to enter into World War 2.  Americans entered the war, not out of fear, but out of duty.  We chose to fight, to sacrifice, to protect.  Even though many lives were lost in the war, and death is always saddening, it was something necessary at the time.  People back then were brave, mentally strong.

What we are seeing in the United States is unnecessary violence.  This must change.  Be mentally strong.  Just because your home life is not ideal, or that your social life in school feels isolated, or that you see someone strange, be better than our fears.  Always have hope for the future, don’t ever think that violence is the right answer to anything.  If you feel wronged, let God handle it, that is what He is for.  I urge everyone to think about how strong you really can be.  Think about the future and how amazing it can be, because it really can be!  Thinking has power.  If you think negatively, your world will continue to be dark, no matter what circumstance you are in.  But if you think positively, then your world will be brighter.  When you are positive then people around you are positive.  Everyone keep your head up and remember politeness, friendliness, and a good attitude goes a long way; not just for yourself but for the people you come across.

It is said that in an average human life we will meet 10,000 people.  10,000 people!  And if you can change the lives of just ten people you meet, that mean those ten people, each one of them will effect another 10,000 lives.  In as little as 5 generations, you yourself has the potential to change, 500,000 lives.  It all starts with you.