A lot has happened over the past few months, which got me thinking about the dangers we face as humans on a daily basis.
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I was in a conversation with a friend of mine some time ago, she was sharing a heartbreaking story about a girl who was stabbed on her way home from work and the system failed her by not responding to her case immediately. In the process she lost a lot of blood and passed away.
Sometime in November my family friend was also murdered on her way from church; leaving behind a spouse and kids, not to talk about her extended family. I also became privy to the news about a Pastor/Evangelist in the Northern part of Nigeria who was kidnapped and eventually killed because he refused to denounce Jesus.
That man left behind a wife and children. Then the one that completely wrecked me this past week was the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant, together with his daughter and the other people who were on the helicopter with them (such a heart-wrenching story).
I remember not being able to sleep that night, and I could only imagine the pain all the families and friends were nursing due to the crash that claimed the lives of their loved ones.
I am not a huge fan of sports; I rarely watch any games; from soccer, to tennis or track and field. So I could care less about athletes (oops) except they get involved with other causes that I am interested in or I know them personally (yes I know quite a few).
That is where my love for Kobe Bryant comes in. There was something compelling about him; his love for storytelling and changing the way stories were being told was what drew me to him.
I watched an interview with him back in November and quickly went to follow his Instagram page, because he gained a fan in me. Just a few months ago, I was thrust into his world and the work he was doing; then on the day he passed away, I got a message on a group chat saying he was gone. That still feels like a dream.
When things like these happen, it causes people to question their faith and their God. People ask questions like: if God is so good, then why did He let such and such happen? Or if God is so good, why is there so much pain and suffering in the world?
Devastation occurring is one of the enemy's ways to try to get us to stray from God. Job knew this all too well. In the midst of his chaos, he refused to curse God, even if it looked like he had nothing else to lose.
One thing we have to realize is that we live in a fallen and broken world. This was not God’s original intent for humanity, as soon as sin was introduced into the world; it came with all its baggage; such as sickness, poverty, hatred, disease, death and so forth.
Every evil thing you can ever imagine was introduced into this planet when sin made its debut. Sometimes when I hear of all these horrific news I’m like—Adam, Eve, was that fruit even worth it? Well let me not even bother them. Maybe if it were Evi and Samuel, we would have done the same thing.
Jesus said the book of John that in this world we will have trouble, but we should be of good cheer, because He has already overcome the world. That is the good news we have in Christ; when we accept Him, victory belongs to us even if it seems like we are losing, we have already won.
There are some certain things I can’t explain away, like why did someone have to lose their life in such a brutal way, on their way back from church. Or why did children have to die in the helicopter crash. I don’t know, quite frankly. But God has asked us to be still and not be afraid, even in the midst of what appears to be chaos. Psalm 46 (NKJV) puts it this way:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not FEAR, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of our God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
As Christians we also have to come to the realization that this earth isn’t our final destination. There is a place way better that Jesus has gone to prepare for us! So we shouldn’t be taken aback by what we see, rather those things that scare us or even shake us should push us closer to Christ, for peace and comfort, knowing fully well that a day would come when He would wipe away every tear.
Until then, let us pray for the hearts of those who have been thrown into deep mourning by the latest events happening around the world.
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About The Author: Evi Idoghor is a Christian, writer, and content creator on Letstalknationblog.com. She is a chemical engineering graduate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Consumed by her love for writing and desire to effect change, she launched her online platform––Let’s Talk Nation––to tap into her creativity and start meaningful conversations that would make a difference around the world.
Most of her writing has been influenced by her time spent in America, where she lived for about 11 years. Also, she lived in Nigeria and South Korea and currently loves traveling the world while learning about other fascinating cultures. You can find her on all social media platforms with @eviidoghor.