Point of View

Life is so fragile! What tragic loss we felt in the untimely death of Dr. Forrest Pollock, esteemed pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church, and his 13-year-old son, Preston. I spoke to Forrest just days ago about moving into and dedicating the new Worship Center. He was excited and extremely grateful to God and the wonderful family of faith at Bell Shoals. His last words to me, “Come down and I’ll show you around, you are welcome any time.”

The crisis experience of life, at least for the moment, cracks the defensive façade of what one writer calls, “the pseudo-omnipotence” that most of us wear. We are suddenly confronted with life’s brevity and our vulnerability. Crisis brings into focus an awareness of our mortality. Anxiety becomes reality.

Part of our Christian faith is wrapped up in how we handle the anxiety of a devastating moment. We move rapidly to the ultimate reflection of life. The question to ask in these moments is not, “Why?” but “What?” Not, “Why did this happen?” But, “What do I learn from the experience?”

What must we learn in the moment of crisis and extreme pain? The experience should expedite our spiritual growth not diminish it. We must live out our belief system to the world and to each other. Our beliefs must be reflected in living an authentic life-style.

Crisis experiences should renew our trust in Jesus Christ and maintain our hope in the midst of tragedy. We need to grieve. And we must also “experience the eternal in the midst of time.”

We learn to rely on the caring community that helps us beyond the moment of tragedy and nurtures and sustains us as we make the journey of faith that will integrate and energize our life. Such a community will continually affirm that we are valued by a God who understands and loves us.

We must affirm in bold and compassionate tones: Jesus is Lord!