So today I caught myself on something. As most everyone knows at this point, Osama Bin Laden was killed. I scrolled down my Facebook page last night reading my friends’ exclamations of joy and lighthearted comments about the news of his death, and it kind of disgusted me. How could we celebrate the death of another? I disagreed with my peers’ reactions and even went as far as to back it up in the Biblical context. Ezekiel 18:32 says, “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!” I hinted at this on my own Facebook page, declaring that I was appreciative of justice but skeptical about a joyful reaction.
Now here’s where I caught myself…
Today in volleyball athletics we were scrimmaging, messing around really, and all of a sudden we heard someone cry out in pain. I looked over towards the other net and saw a girl on the floor crying. Now, the girl who fell has always rubbed me the wrong way. For a couple of reasons, I dislike her and usually keep my distance. I regret to admit that I found her fall comical and started laughing. I stopped myself immediately, but that is beside the point. There I was, in the middle of a gym that seemed frozen in time with anticipation, laughing at someone who was in pain. As I was walking out of the gym after practice, I discovered a parallel.
No, the girl who fell was not seriously injured or dying. The same principle exists, though, as the one in the instance of Osama Bin Laden. God does not take pleasure in the suffering or death of anyone, and I should strive to do the same. Laughing at an antagonist who fell and is undergoing suffering equals making lighthearted comments about the death of an adversary. As I realized that, I felt immensely convicted.
Hopefully these random epiphanies will make me a better person. Daily I'm still recognizing that I’m a work in progress.
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