All Things: The Charleston Massacre

We know that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 (NASB)

On a hot day in 2015, in a historic Black church in Charleston, nine were shot dead in Wednesday night prayer.* Why? The shooter wanted to start a race war.

Did he choose an appropriate city? Charleston IS a proud town– much like Boston.

  • The Revolutionary War began in Boston (with a big “tea party” in a harbor).

  • The Civil War, our most destructive war,  began in Charleston (with a rifle shot).

This gracious old church welcomed Dylann Roof, a troubled young white man they didn’t know. Disaster followed. But a war did NOT.

What did come is a glorious witness of Jesus Christ that hits me close to home:** a witness better than any sermon, a witness of radical forgiveness, a witness of amazing grace and LOVE.**

  • Those good sheep and their Jesus-like shepherd,

  • Those good sheep accounted for the slaughter,

  • Those good sheep were far more than conquerors.

  • They're martyrs waiting for us in Heaven.

  • And their loved ones are no less than heroes.

They refused to bite the bait of fury. Instead, they took communion with Christ!

If love can shine through grievances so great, even so great as our King on a Cross, can we show love over things much smaller?

All Things: The Charleston Massacre (Part 1)

P.S. Did “all things” work together for the good of the victims’ grieved family members? In the short run, no. Their deaths left a hole. Losing loved ones is hard for us all, but it’s especially hard when the deaths are untimely or notably tragic. Yet their witness was unforgettable. Both God and people rushed in to help them, to lift, love, and hold them (in their weakness). A marvelous reunion awaits them.

* The Charleston Massacre: 5 Years After Charleston Church Massacre, What Have We Learned? : NPR

** My dad, from an old Southern family, was born in Charleston. I was born and raised 2 hours up the road in Columbia.

*** Report on the surviving family member's surprising reactions following the Charleston Massacre: 'Repent, Give your Life to Christ;' Relatives of Charleston Church Massacre Victims Forgive Dylann Roof at Bond Hearing

*** The power of forgiveness (Washington Post article) Opinion | The power of forgiveness in Charleston - The Washington Post

Carey Arban