Initial Thoughts on the Boston Marathon Bombing

It's no longer a question of if we'll face the next act of senseless violence that will topple our illusion of security.  It's a question of when, where, and how bad will it be.  Now not even an event as politically benign and morally positive as the Boston Marathon is safe.  In horrid irony the bombings assaulted a sporting celebration dedicated to the victims of the recent Newtown Connecticut school shootings.

Much of the usual reactions will happen in the next few days.  Grief will be great for the dead and the maimed.  (As of this posting - 9:25 p.m. CST on 04.15 - three people are dead, including an eight year old child.  Up to a dozen are critically injured; more are hospitalized.)  We will be dazed and unsteady for a while.  The low, simmering unsafe feeling that's been a part of our lives since 09.11.01 will rise to a boil, at least for now.  Many will jump to blame.  Some will assume the action of international terrorists and may point the finger at Islamic extremists.  They may be proved right. Some will cry for stiffer penalties for the criminally ill, if that turns out to be the cause.  Others will blame violence in the media and in our culture in general.  Westboro Baptist Church will probably picket the funerals, celebrating "God's judgement."  Both people who claim faith and those who struggle with faith will quietly or openly ask why a good and loving God would allow something like this to happen.  Some will call for more accessibility to "conceal and carry" so citizens can protect themselves.  Others will demand tighter security for all public gatherings.  And we'll continue to wonder if it will ever be safe again to go to a ball game, a parade, a race, a concert, a worship service, a school, a movie, or wherever.  And, unfortunately, other parts of the world will look at this and say, "We're sorry for you, but we live with this kind of thing every day!"  That, of course, doesn't make it acceptable or tolerable in ANY place in the world.  It is beyond contemptible.

Fear and anger are normal.  To act on something other than fear or anger will take a decision - a decision against the flow; it will not come naturally.  It might be a good time to learn a lesson from history.  In Great Britain in 1939, the British Isles faced immanent violence and potential disaster.  Alone in Europe in defiance of the Third Reich, bombing assaults were certain and invasion was highly likely.  British leaders chose this slogan to really their people:  Keep Calm and Carry On.  Brits chose to fight back, win or lose, by refusing to give up on their values, their commitments, and their determination to live freely as they chose to live.  They took a serious beating, but Keep Calm and Carry On expressed their focused resolve.  Britain did not fall, and it became a staging area to turn back one of the greatest evils of human history.

For those who choose to follow the one known as Jesus of Nazareth, we are invited to chose something other than anger and fear in everything we face.  We're reminded that perfect love casts out fear.  Everywhere people default to hate and violence, we are to be the ones who keep calm (embrace the peace that passes all understanding, and give that peace) and carry on (continuing our commitment to change lives for Jesus and to transform a fallen and hurting world). 

One of my best friends in this world is a runner, who has done his share of marathons and half marathons.  Dan is also one of the most passionate followers of Jesus I know.  As a believer and as a runner, I know how he would address defeat, unfair injury, ghastly evil and injustice, and horrific loss.

He'd tie on the shoes and run again.  He'd keep calm and carry on.  That's how we heal; that's how we win.

I'll see you around the next bend in the river.  Pray for Boston.