My father recalls in vivid detail the war protests of the 60’s and 70’s. Being student body president at Olivet Nazarene University in the year 1970, demanded he make public statements to news stations about the nearby Kent State Shootings.

This is the first string of events in my lifetime to hold a candle to those events. Orlando, Baton Rouge, St. Paul and Dallas all point to a nation that is wounded.

Here are a few things I believe. I don’t believe this is the judgment of God. Certainly if God were endeavoring to judge He could do it bigger. Also, it’s very hard to argue that His hand of protection has lifted here -1st Century believers had it way worse and they were completely under God’s protection (we might have a skewed view of God’s protection). Finally, I believe God is mourning with us.

He gave us this command, “Mourn with those who mourn.” (Rom 12:15)

I may not have the perfect comment to make everyone happy on this – but I know how to mourn. I know how to cry, I know how to long for better for my nation, I know how to cry out that our nation would find it’s moorings in God.

The world needs to know what the church is for. We are for healing. Jesus is for healing. Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he stopped to weep. Why? Because He can’t see his children mourning and not join in. But He didn’t stay there – He enacted the change that Lazarus’ family needed. He became healing.

I have talked about how God is a party animal because He rejoices with those who rejoice, and because He mourns with those who mourn that makes Him the most empathetic and understanding. Our God has so much depth. He’s amazing.

So make it personal – Who in my life can I mourn with? Who in my life can I rejoice with? Who in my life can I become healing for? Exercising our emotions for others is healthy and Godly. Maybe it’s been awhile since you cried for someone else.

Take a moment of silence today – invest yourself in the emotions of other human beings in your life, in your nation – as it turns out, it will be good for your soul too – healing even. Become healing for someone today. Be Jesus to someone today.