I heard the news about the school shooting when I got to work today. In a way, I was glad both my patients cancelled and I had some time to let this horrible tragedy sink in for a bit. It is so hard to understand the murder of innocent people, whether they be children, teens or adults. I guess you might say that you could understand the murder of an enemy, an intruder, or someone who has done harm to you or your loved ones; to some degree we are all capable of taking someone's life to save our own or the lives of our loved ones.
What drives an individual to plan and perpetrate this type of heinous offense against humankind? The question on everyone's mind is "Why?" The shooter is dead and we will never know. Even if there were an answer, would we be able to understand it? Doubtful. Who understands the workings of a person's mind but the mind of God? And, who can know the mind of God...? (1 Corinthians 2:16; Romans 11:34)
This in no way implies that the darkness of this day was the will of God because it clearly was not. Humankind is both blessed and cursed with free will. We choose to do what we do; we have the final choice. The way I understand things, a person who is thinking clearly and rationally, would not take out his or her anger on those who are innocent. A rational human being would be more likely to see the enormity of this type of behavior and its consequences. An irrational human being might be thinking that it doesn't matter who pays for the perceived offense, just as long as someone pays. They might also believe they will get away with the crimes or, if they are killed or kill themselves, they will be famous and therefore important. What good is it to be famous if you murder 20 children (at last count) and 6 adults, then suffer your own violent death? I remember Columbine, but don't ask me who the shooters were because I don't remember their names.
How much fame is that?
