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One of these things is not Like the Other

One of these things is not Like the Other.

While it is not necessarily a current saying, it applies to current events.

I’m a flipper…or is it a puncher? Of radio stations, that is. Driving in my car the other day, I was listening to the BBC, and caught an interview with a Canadian mother, whose son had recently moved to Syria to join ISIS. Even though the thought of a young man leaving a free society to be part of a violent, evil machine far, far away is shocking, because it seems to be happening with greater frequency, we are no longer shocked, are we? What would motivate a young man to join with an army that is known for its hate-filled, criminal ways?

Similarly, I could not miss the radio stations carrying reports of what happened in Charleston, South Carolina, a few days ago, when a 21-year-old white man shot and killed nine African American folks gathered in a Bible study. (I cannot even imagine the sheer terror of the people as the shooting began—church Bible study…really? Conjures up years of snapshots in my life.) Hey, have you seen this kid who gunned these worshippers down? ‘He looks ‘peak-ed’’, my mother would say--his vacant eyes and pale skin, framed by a bowl-cut hairstyle. Well, his racist manifesto has now come out, making it clear that he has been heading this direction for several years. What would motivate a young man to feed on hate-speak in various formats which led to the heartache of nine families, a church community, a prominent town, yea—even a country?

But then today I listened to the Sunday morning Mother Emanuel AME Church service from Charleston, in which the parishioners filled the pews and worshipped God, in spite of their great loss. Between fanning themselves in the steamy old sanctuary, they actually raised their hands, shouted ‘Hallelujah’ and sang praises to God! Wait… what? Weren’t they terrified that some other crazy racist would commit a copycat crime? What would motivate folks to gather in worship and praise to God after such a heinous crime in their beloved, revered church? One of these things is not like the other(s).

Norvell Goff (the preacher on Sunday) used the Psalms to remind the Charleston congregation of the faithfulness of God, in spite of the actions of fallen men:

“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.” Psalm 46.1-3

Perhaps you need to be reminded of David’s decision in Psalm 40:

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry.

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock,

And established my steps.

He has put a new song in my mouth—praise to our God;

Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.

Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust…”

One of these things is not like the other—a young man who chooses ISIS, a young man who chooses to kill nine innocent God-worshipping individuals, and the friends and congregants of the latter, who in spite of their pain and loss, choose to faithfully worship and praise God. In fact, many—including the families of the nine victims—are already talking about forgiving the killer. Wait, what—forgiveness?! Definitely, one of these things is not like the other. But one of these things surrounds the faithfulness of God in spite of hate, in spite of murder … yes, in spite of life, God is on the throne. And God is trustworthy.

What’s going on in your life? Can you trust God in spite of well, anything? And can you—in spite of anything-- like the faithful Charleston Christians, thank God and bring him praise?

Christine