Our country is in shock over the terrible tragedy at Virginia Tech.  This is the worst mass murder in American history.  Our heart goes out to the families, the students, the faculty and all others that are involved in the Virginia community.

Already the media is full of all types of speculation about what happened and why.  The truth is that we will never know exactly what happened.  We cannot know what was going on in the mind of the shooter.

During this tragedy, I have been meeting with a group of pastors that gather together each year to share ways that we can be more effective in helping our churches touch our culture with the gospel.  As we have prayed for those involved in this terrible incident, we have been reminded of the great responsibility that we have as Christians.

Once again we have been reminded of the fact that we live in a sinful fallen world.  We will not find detailed answers as to why this occurred.  We can be sure that this is a result of the human sinful condition.

Secondly, we have the answer to the sin problem in Jesus Christ.  He is always sufficient in a time of crisis.  Even in the midst of tragedy, we have the good news that there is hope and that death is not the end for those that are in Chirst.

As I read the reports, I wondered if those people had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  That should be on the mind of all of us.  While we cannot do anything about it now, we should be motivated to make sure that everyone we know has a chance to hear the gospel.  Nothing else Is going to get them to heaven.

In the coming days, as we pray for all of those involved, we should also be reminded of our responsibility to share the good news.  We are the only ones than can share real hope in the midst of heartache.