Being Where You Should Be
As I think about the recent horrific shooting in Colorado, a particular thought keeps coming to mind. Many died that night because they chose to patronize a dark film in a dark theater at dark midnight rather than being at home sleeping peacefully in their beds. In other words, where they should have been.
I feel a strong urge to keep myself and my children where we are supposed to be at any given time. I choose our activities carefully and always seek my husband's thoughts on the matter, too. There have been many times that I've been absolutely certain that God has protected me through my husband. So when he expresses a preference about where we go or who we go with, even if it seems trivial, I'm careful not to just toss it aside even if it seems insignificant.
Wrong Place Wrong Time
The victims of a shooting are not to blame so please don't misconstrue what I'm saying. It's just that, in this instance, had those people not wanted to go to a midnight showing to see an ungodly movie, and had instead chosen to be home that night, they'd still be alive. (Theoretically, anyway.)
It is similar with the Columbine shooting victims, only that one rests squarely on the shoulders of the parents sending their children off to their "good school" to be "educated" where they were subjected to the rampage of madmen. Not one homeschooler was killed on that dark day because their parents saw to it that they were where they should be: at home.
Q: What about 911? Were those people "wrong" for taking a flight?
A: It's one thing to have no choice when a freak accident occurs. It's another to be somewhere when a tragedy occurs and you didn't really need to be there. Or actually, you really shouldn't have been there.
Q: What about acts of God, like a tornados, cyclones, volcano eruptions and hurricanes?
A: In my humble opinion, it's better to meet death or tragedy while being where you are supposed to be, than being in a tragedy where you really ought not to be. People at home in a tornado/hurricane/fire, etc - these can't be helped. I believe that in those instances, God's hand is clear. But people in a movie theater, to see a dark movie, at midnight - that was a choice. With deadly consequences. No one can say, "It couldn't be helped". I believe it could have been helped.
Biblical Example
King David in 2 Samuel 11, was supposed to be in battle with his men. But instead he sent out Joab and his servants while he himself stayed at home.
King David was not where he should have been.
Because of his being where he really shouldn't have been, he was hanging around the house when he should have been out fighting battles with his men.
So instead, his cavalier choice brought him an opportunity to view a woman whom he should not have been viewing. This first improper choice - to stay at home instead of fight like a man - led him to terrible sorrow, trouble, sadness, murder and the death of two people: Uriah the Hittite and the child born of David and Bathsheba's adultery.
David ended up repenting and was forgiven by God, but he also paid the penalty of being in continual unrest and war for the rest of his life.
All because he wasn't where he should have been.
The Bible seems to teach that God would rather we suffer wrong when we are somewhere that we should be, than suffer wrong when we are somewhere that we shouldn't be.
I feel a strong urge to keep myself and my children where we are supposed to be at any given time. I choose our activities carefully and always seek my husband's thoughts on the matter, too. There have been many times that I've been absolutely certain that God has protected me through my husband. So when he expresses a preference about where we go or who we go with, even if it seems trivial, I'm careful not to just toss it aside even if it seems insignificant.
Wrong Place Wrong Time
The victims of a shooting are not to blame so please don't misconstrue what I'm saying. It's just that, in this instance, had those people not wanted to go to a midnight showing to see an ungodly movie, and had instead chosen to be home that night, they'd still be alive. (Theoretically, anyway.)
It is similar with the Columbine shooting victims, only that one rests squarely on the shoulders of the parents sending their children off to their "good school" to be "educated" where they were subjected to the rampage of madmen. Not one homeschooler was killed on that dark day because their parents saw to it that they were where they should be: at home.
Q: What about 911? Were those people "wrong" for taking a flight?
A: It's one thing to have no choice when a freak accident occurs. It's another to be somewhere when a tragedy occurs and you didn't really need to be there. Or actually, you really shouldn't have been there.
Q: What about acts of God, like a tornados, cyclones, volcano eruptions and hurricanes?
A: In my humble opinion, it's better to meet death or tragedy while being where you are supposed to be, than being in a tragedy where you really ought not to be. People at home in a tornado/hurricane/fire, etc - these can't be helped. I believe that in those instances, God's hand is clear. But people in a movie theater, to see a dark movie, at midnight - that was a choice. With deadly consequences. No one can say, "It couldn't be helped". I believe it could have been helped.
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 1 Peter 3:14
Biblical Example
King David in 2 Samuel 11, was supposed to be in battle with his men. But instead he sent out Joab and his servants while he himself stayed at home.
King David was not where he should have been.
Because of his being where he really shouldn't have been, he was hanging around the house when he should have been out fighting battles with his men.
So instead, his cavalier choice brought him an opportunity to view a woman whom he should not have been viewing. This first improper choice - to stay at home instead of fight like a man - led him to terrible sorrow, trouble, sadness, murder and the death of two people: Uriah the Hittite and the child born of David and Bathsheba's adultery.
David ended up repenting and was forgiven by God, but he also paid the penalty of being in continual unrest and war for the rest of his life.
All because he wasn't where he should have been.
The Bible seems to teach that God would rather we suffer wrong when we are somewhere that we should be, than suffer wrong when we are somewhere that we shouldn't be.
In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6
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