Sunday, June 1, 2025

What kind of relationship does God want with humanity, and how does that affect the way He acts in the world?

 Tragedy strikes without warning. A shooting in a school, a bombing in a church, a senseless act of violence that leaves families shattered and communities reeling—these moments are more than statistics. They tear at the soul and provoke the deepest human questions: Where was God? Why did He not intervene? Is there any meaning in the chaos?

These questions are not new. They echo across time, across faith traditions, and across continents. But for Christians, the challenge is particularly acute because of the claim that God is both all-powerful and all-loving. If God exists, and if He cares, why does He allow such evil to happen?

This article will not offer superficial answers. It will not minimize the grief, pain, or confusion that accompanies suffering. But it will explore a way forward—through Scripture, reason, and the testimonies of those who have suffered and still believe. At its heart is a deeper question than mere theodicy: What kind of relationship does God want with humanity, and how does that affect the way He acts in the world?

We will examine this issue in ten parts, beginning with the foundations of belief in God and continuing through human freedom, the mystery of suffering, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the eternal hope of salvation. We will also consider how the Church and its members can and must respond—not only in word, but in action. For while we may not always understand why God allows tragedy, we can begin to understand how He calls us to respond in the midst of it.

In a world searching for answers, this is not merely an academic exercise. It is a call to awaken—to seek, to listen, and to act. Whether you are a believer grappling with grief, a skeptic haunted by injustice, or someone caught in the middle, the following exploration is an invitation: not to easy answers, but to a deeper understanding of God, human responsibility, and the hope that does not disappoint.

The Existence of God

Before we can explore why God might allow tragedy, we must first ask the more basic question: Does God exist? And if so, what kind of God are we talking about?

Throughout history, countless philosophers, theologians, and ordinary people have wrestled with this foundational question. The presence of suffering has often been cited as evidence against God's existence. But just as often, it has driven people toward belief—a desperate cry for meaning beyond the chaos, for justice beyond human systems, for hope beyond the grave.

Arguments for God’s Existence

While a full defense of God's existence lies beyond the scope of this article, several classical arguments remain relevant, especially in the context of suffering and tragedy:

·         The Moral Argument: If there is no God, there is no objective moral law. And yet, our visceral reaction to tragedy—our insistence that acts of evil are truly wrong, not merely inconvenient—points to a moral lawgiver. Why should the murder of children, the oppression of the weak, or the exploitation of the innocent be universally condemned unless there is a transcendent source of morality?

·         The Argument from Design: The intricacy of the universe, the fine-tuning of physical laws, and the delicate balance that allows for life all point to intelligence, not chance. This suggests a Creator who is both powerful and purposeful.

·         The Argument from Contingency: Everything that exists has a cause. Yet the universe, as a whole, cannot be its own cause. There must be a necessary, uncaused being—what classical theists call God—who brought everything into existence.

These arguments do not prove the God of the Bible, but they point toward a transcendent mind, will, and power—consistent with the scriptural portrait of the Creator.

Faith and the Nature of God

Ultimately, belief in God is not just intellectual—it is relational. The Bible does not begin with a philosophical proof, but a declaration: “In the beginning, God created…” (Genesis 1:1). Scripture assumes the existence of God and invites us into relationship with Him.

The Christian faith affirms a God who is:

·         Omnipresent – ever present

·         Omniscient – all-knowing

·         Omnipotent – all-powerful

·        Omnibenevolent – perfectly good

·         Relational – desiring communion with humanity

This view of God doesn’t eliminate hard questions—it intensifies them. If God is truly all of these things, why does He not stop evil before it happens?

The answer lies not in denying God's power or goodness, but in understanding the kind of world He has chosen to create—a world in which free beings can love, rebel, choose, and ultimately seek or reject Him.

Understanding Free Will

The question of why God allows suffering—especially human-caused evil—cannot be separated from the concept of free will. At the heart of Christian theology is the belief that God created human beings not as automatons, but as moral agents capable of choice. This gift of free will is both the crown of our dignity and the cause of our greatest downfall.

What Is Free Will?

Free will, in a theological context, refers to the God-given ability of humans to make genuine choices—moral, spiritual, relational, and practical. It is the power to say yes or no, to obey or disobey, to love or to hate, to bless or to curse.

Without free will, love is not love. Obedience is not obedience. Relationship is not relationship—it is programming. For love to be real, it must be freely given. And for humans to bear the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27), they must reflect His freedom, creativity, and moral agency.

Free Will and Responsibility

The existence of free will means that much of the suffering in the world is not directly caused by God, but by the choices of people. From Cain’s murder of Abel to genocides, war, abuse, and personal betrayal—these are not “acts of God,” but acts of man.

Some argue, “But if God knew what people would do, why give them such freedom?” The answer lies in God’s desire for meaningful relationship. He did not want a world of coerced obedience, but one where love is chosen—even though that choice includes the possibility of rebellion.

This is precisely what we see in Genesis 2–3. God places Adam and Eve in a paradise and gives them a command they can obey—or disobey. He warns them of the consequences, but does not prevent their choice. Their disobedience introduces sin and death into the world (Romans 5:12), a pattern repeated by every human that exercises free will since (exceptions being John the Baptist, infants, innocent children yet to disobey the moral law stipulated in the Ten Commandments).

Free will, therefore, is a two-edged sword. It makes possible both moral greatness and moral evil. And yet, God considers the risk of evil worth the potential for love, redemption, and genuine relationship.

The Limits of Human Control

While we possess free will, we do not have absolute control. We cannot choose our birth, our genetics, or the actions of others. Much of life is the intersection of our will with that of others—and this intersection can be fraught with injustice.

Still, Scripture holds individuals accountable for their choices. “Each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). This moral accountability only makes sense if human freedom is real.

God’s Sovereignty and Human Choice

Christian theology does not pit divine sovereignty against human freedom—they are intertwined. God remains sovereign, guiding history toward His purposes, yet allows humans to participate freely. This is the tension found throughout Scripture: God rules, but we choose.

Pharaoh hardened his heart—and yet God also hardened it (Exodus 8–10). Judas chose to betray Christ—and yet it was foretold (John 13:18). Human choice does not derail God’s plan, but God’s plan does not erase human choice.

This mystery humbles us. We are not pawns in a cosmic game, nor are we gods of our own destiny. We are free—but not unaccountable. We are responsible—not sovereign. But God sees the heart—the thoughts, the attitudes—and discerns thought from intent.

The Nature of Suffering

If God exists and humans possess free will, the next question looms large: Why does suffering exist—especially among the innocent? The nature of suffering is one of the most profound and painful theological mysteries. Yet Scripture does not avoid this subject—it confronts it head-on, offering both realism and hope.

Types of Suffering

Suffering in the human experience comes in many forms:

·         Moral suffering: evil caused by human choices (e.g., violence, abuse, injustice)

·         Natural suffering: pain caused by natural events (e.g., disease, earthquakes, aging, death)

·         Spiritual suffering: grief, guilt, alienation from God, or divine silence

Each of these forms can raise the same haunting question: Where is God in all of this?

Suffering in a Fallen World

According to the biblical worldview, suffering is not part of the original creation. God created a world He declared “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Suffering entered through sin—first through Adam’s disobedience, and then through the compounded evil of generations.

Romans 8:20–22 explains that the whole creation was subjected to “futility” and now groans as if in labor, awaiting redemption. This perspective doesn’t blame all suffering on personal sin but situates it within a larger cosmic rupture: original sin. Not of Adam, but of the Evil One. The world is broken—not just morally, but structurally—and we live in its aftermath.

Biblical Reflections on Suffering

The Bible never trivializes suffering. The book of Job stands as a stark witness to unexplained pain. Job is a righteous man who loses everything—his wealth, his children, even his health. His friends offer shallow theology: You must have sinned. But God ultimately rebukes them, affirming that not all suffering is punishment.

In the Psalms, lament is frequent:

“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1)

Even Jesus, on the cross, cries out:

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)

These cries are not failures of faith but expressions of faith in a God big enough to handle our anguish.

Purpose in the Pain

Although suffering is real and often senseless from a human perspective, the Bible offers several redemptive purposes for suffering:

·         Refinement: “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3–4).

·         Discipline: “The Lord disciplines those He loves” (Hebrews 12:6).

·         Dependency: Paul writes, “We were under great pressure… but this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God” (2 Corinthians 1:8–9).

·         Testimony: The sufferings of believers become a witness to the power of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:8–12).

·         Conformity to Christ: Paul considered suffering a fellowship with Christ (Philippians 3:10).

None of these explanations remove the pain—but they reframe it. Suffering, while not good in itself, can serve God’s greater purposes.

The God Who Suffers

Most remarkably, Christianity proclaims that God is not distant from suffering. He entered it. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35). He was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). On the cross, He bore the weight of sin, shame, and separation.

The cross is not just where Christ died—it’s where God shared in the worst of human suffering. And the resurrection is not just where Christ triumphed—it’s where God began to undo suffering’s finality.

In Jesus, we see that suffering is not meaningless. It is not the end. And it will not have the last word.

Spiritual Awareness and Guidance

In times of suffering and tragedy, people often ask not only why something happened, but also what now? How are we to respond? How can we discern God's will when darkness seems to overshadow clarity?

Christianity offers more than abstract truths or cold doctrines. It proclaims the presence of a living God who speaks, leads, comforts, and empowers. This interaction takes place through the person and work of the Holy Spirit—the Paraclete, the Helper, whom Jesus promised to those who believe in Him.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Jesus told His disciples:

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever… He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16–17)

This Helper, the Holy Spirit, is God’s presence in the life of the believer—not merely a force, but a divine person who teaches, reminds, convicts, and empowers. He is the fulfillment of God’s promise in the book of Joel: “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh…” (Joel 2:28–29).

The Holy Spirit:

·         Guides us into truth (John 16:13)

·         Comforts us in affliction (2 Corinthians 1:3–5)

·         Convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8)

·         Empowers us for witness and service (Acts 1:8)

·         Intercedes for us when we do not know how to pray (Romans 8:26)

In the valley of grief, the Spirit is not silent. He does not always give explanations, but He offers presence—and that presence is often what we need most.

Discerning God’s Voice

Spiritual awareness requires more than intuition—it requires attentiveness. God speaks through His Word, through prayer, through the counsel of mature believers, and through circumstances aligned with His character. As Jesus said:

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

But spiritual ears must be trained. Just as Elijah did not hear God in the earthquake or the fire, but in a still small voice (1 Kings 19:11–12), so too must believers learn to quiet their hearts and listen. In tragedy, this spiritual sensitivity becomes vital.

Many who suffer find that God's guidance does not come as a thunderclap, but as a whisper—a verse, a prompting, a sudden sense of peace, or a new clarity. The Holy Spirit leads, not always away from pain, but through it, into deeper trust.

Staying Attuned in a Noisy World

In a culture flooded with distractions, noise, and instant answers, tuning in to spiritual guidance requires intentionality. The believer must cultivate spiritual disciplines:

·         Prayer, not as ritual, but as communion

·         Scripture reading, not merely for study, but for hearing God’s voice

·         Worship, even when it flows from a broken heart

·         Community, where others can help us discern

The tragedy that leaves one speechless can often become the moment that God speaks most clearly—if we are willing to listen.

Why Spiritual Guidance Matters in Suffering

Without spiritual awareness, suffering can make us bitter, self-focused, and hopeless. With it, suffering can become a furnace of transformation. The Holy Spirit does not eliminate pain but empowers endurance. He helps us see beyond the moment to the purpose. He anchors us when circumstances shake us.

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)

Being led by the Spirit in the wake of tragedy is not about having all the answers. It is about trusting the One who does.

Historical Context of Persecution

Suffering and persecution are not new to the Christian story—they are woven into its very foundation. From the earliest days of the faith, Christians have faced opposition, violence, and martyrdom. These historical realities offer not only sobering context, but also deep theological insight into how faith responds to injustice and affliction.

Persecution in the Early Church

Jesus warned His disciples:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you… If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:18, 20)

From the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7) to the imprisonments and beatings suffered by Peter, Paul, and others, the early Church was born in hardship. Faithfulness to Christ was not rewarded with ease, but with trouble.

Under Roman rule, Christians were persecuted for refusing to worship Caesar or participate in pagan rites. They were accused of atheism, cannibalism (misunderstanding the Lord’s Supper), and insurrection. Many were executed in brutal ways—crucifixions, burnings, and wild beasts in the arena.

Yet through their suffering, the Church grew. Tertullian famously wrote:

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

Their unwavering witness in the face of death testified to a reality more powerful than fear: the unshakable hope of the resurrection.

Persecution Through the Centuries

Persecution did not end with the Roman Empire. Throughout history, faithful Christians have suffered:

·         Under totalitarian regimes (e.g., Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia, Maoist China)

·         In religiously hostile environments (e.g., Islamic extremism in the Middle East)

·         At the hands of corrupted church institutions (e.g., the Inquisition)

·         Through systemic oppression and modern-day martyrdom

According to organizations like Open Doors, millions of believers still suffer for their faith today. Churches are burned. Believers are arrested or killed. In North Korea, owning a Bible can mean a death sentence. In parts of Africa and Asia, believers face daily threats and even death.

The New Testament speaks directly to this reality:

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

Persecution, far from being abnormal, is often the norm for genuine Christian witness.

Why Persecution Matters for Understanding Faith

Persecution reveals the cost of discipleship. Jesus said:

“Whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:38)

Faith is not about comfort—it is about allegiance. Persecution forces the question: Do we truly believe what we profess, even when belief costs us everything?

It also reveals the enduring power of hope. Those who suffer for their faith often do so not with despair, but with joy:

“They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” (Acts 5:41)

Suffering for Christ is not meaningless—it becomes a form of fellowship with Him (Philippians 3:10), a visible identification with His mission, and a testimony to a watching world.

Modern Lessons from the Persecuted Church

Today, the persecuted Church teaches us to value what is often taken for granted: freedom to worship, access to Scripture, and the courage to live authentically. Their example challenges complacency and consumerism in the Western Church.

Moreover, the persecuted Church often displays greater spiritual maturity, prayerfulness, and dependence on God than their more comfortable counterparts. Their stories call us back to the core of the Gospel: Christ crucified, risen, and returning.

Salvation and Eternal Perspective

In the face of tragedy and persecution, even the most faithful can ask: What is the point of all this pain? The answer lies not only in God’s presence in suffering, but in the eternal perspective offered by the Gospel of salvation. For Christians, this life is not the final chapter. It is the prelude to something greater.

What Is Salvation?

Salvation, at its heart, is deliverance—first from sin, and ultimately from death itself. It is the great promise of Scripture:

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

This salvation was made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By taking upon Himself the penalty of sin, Jesus offers forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and new life to all who believe:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Salvation is not earned through good deeds, religious rituals, or moral effort. It is received by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). It transforms not only our destiny but our identity—we become children of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and participants in His Kingdom.

The Hope of Eternal Life

One of the most radical truths of the Christian faith is that death is not the end. Jesus said:

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)

This eternal hope reshapes the way believers face suffering. Paul, who endured beatings, imprisonments, and near-death experiences, could write:

“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Eternal life is not just endless duration—it is quality of life in union with God. It begins now and is perfected in the age to come.

When a believer dies, their body perishes, but their spirit is with Christ. The day is coming when all who belong to Him will be raised in glorified bodies, and every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4). This hope does not trivialize grief—it gives grief meaning.

Salvation as a Present and Future Reality

Salvation is not only about escaping hell or going to heaven. It is about being made new—right now:

·         Justification (freedom from the penalty of sin)

·         Sanctification (freedom from the power of sin)

·         Glorification (freedom from the presence of sin)

This process begins at the moment of faith and continues until the day Christ returns. In the meantime, Christians are called to live as citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), bearing fruit in a broken world, and pointing others to the source of their hope.

Suffering in Light of Eternity

Only with an eternal perspective can suffering be rightly understood. Without it, suffering seems cruel, random, and meaningless. With it, suffering can become the very context in which faith deepens, hope shines, and the love of God becomes more real than ever before.

Paul wrote:

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

This is not escapism. It is realism rooted in divine promise. Salvation does not eliminate suffering in this life—but it promises that suffering does not have the final word. God does.

The Role of the Church and Community

When tragedy strikes, grief often isolates. Suffering can make people feel alone, misunderstood, or even abandoned by God. In these moments, the presence of a loving, responsive community becomes vital. That community, ideally, is the Church—the body of Christ on Earth, called to embody His compassion, healing, and truth.

The Church as the Body of Christ

The New Testament calls the Church not simply an organization but a living organism:

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)

This metaphor is not sentimental—it is profoundly practical. Just as a body responds when one part is wounded, so should the Church respond when one member suffers. Paul writes:

“If one member suffers, all suffer together.” (1 Corinthians 12:26)

The Church is not merely a place where people hear truth, but a people who live truth together—offering presence, prayer, food, comfort, protection, and guidance in real time.

Bearing One Another’s Burdens

Galatians 6:2 commands:

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

This law is love. When tragedy occurs—whether a mass shooting, natural disaster, or personal loss—the Church is called not merely to respond with thoughts and prayers, but with action:

·         Providing practical support (meals, shelter, funds)

·         Offering spiritual and emotional care (counseling, intercession)

·         Advocating for justice and healing (if injustice has occurred)

·         Creating space for grief without rushing to answers

Sometimes, just being present is the most powerful act. As Job’s friends initially did well by simply sitting with him in silence (Job 2:13), those who belong to the true Church are often most Christlike not when they attempt to explain suffering, but when they enters into it.

Churches as Healing Communities

The local church can become a sanctuary not just spiritually, but emotionally and relationally. By fostering a culture of compassion, vulnerability, and support, the Church becomes a place where broken people are not shamed but restored.

Healthy church communities:

·         Cultivate honest lament

·         Encourage mutual care

·         Train members in trauma-sensitive ministry

·         Provide long-term support—not just immediate relief

In times of communal tragedy, the Church is also called to represent Christ to the wider community. Whether through hosting vigils, offering counseling, or coordinating aid, the Church has a role in public witness—showing what God’s love looks like in practice.

When the Church Fails—and When It Shines

Unfortunately, not all churches rise to the moment. Some avoid hard topics. Others offer platitudes instead of presence. But when the Church lives up to its calling, it becomes a tangible expression of the Gospel—a place where those grieving are not alone, where forgiveness and healing flow, and where hope is rekindled.

Jesus said:

“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Love is not proven in theory, but in response to suffering. And when the Church loves well, the world sees a glimpse of heaven in the midst of its hell.

Personal Reflections and Testimonies

Doctrinal truths and theological insights matter, but in the face of suffering, sometimes the most powerful evidence for the goodness of God comes not from arguments—but from people. From stories. From real lives transformed by faith, even in the midst of unbearable pain.

These testimonies don’t always explain why tragedy happens, but they reveal how God meets people in the aftermath. They are stories of endurance, redemption, and the quiet but unshakable hope that faith can ignite in the darkest places.

Faith Amidst Tragedy

In the wake of school shootings, terrorist attacks, and personal loss, many believers have borne witness to God’s presence in the storm. Some have lost children. Others have survived attacks. Still others have faced terminal diagnoses or relentless persecution. And yet, they speak of peace that “surpasses understanding” (Philippians 4:7), of strength not their own, and of an eternal perspective that lifted them above the immediate horror.

One mother, whose son was killed in a church shooting, said:

“I will never understand why it happened. But I know where my son is. And I know that evil doesn’t get the last word—God does.”

Another survivor of Christian persecution in Nigeria testified:

“They burned our village, but they could not burn our hope. Jesus is still with us, and we will not stop following Him.”

These aren’t naïve platitudes. They are battle-tested faith—words forged in fire, rooted in eternity.

Transformation Through Pain

Many who suffer do not simply survive; they are transformed. Some become counselors. Others become advocates. Some develop deeper empathy or new ministries. They often say things like:

·         “I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, but I wouldn’t trade what God has done in me.”

·         “My suffering became a doorway to discovering who God really is.”

·         “I found that when everything else was stripped away, He was enough.”

These testimonies echo the words of Paul:

“When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

God doesn’t always deliver from the fire, but He walks in it—just as He did with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the furnace (Daniel 3:25).

The Power of Lament and Praise

Testimonies also include honest lament. Some people wrestle with doubt, anger, and silence from God—and yet, they keep seeking Him. They remind us that faith is not the absence of questions but the persistence of trust.

Others testify to the healing power of worship. Music, prayer, and Scripture often become lifelines when words fail. As one grieving father said:

“All I could do was whisper His name. But that was enough.”

Why Stories Matter

Testimonies give theology a human face. They help others feel seen, understood, and less alone. They provide living proof that faith works—not because it eliminates suffering, but because it sustains us through it.

“They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11)

In a world hungry for hope, personal stories become sacred echoes of God's faithfulness—evidence that the light still shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5).

Conclusion

Tragedy will always confront us with questions we cannot fully answer—at least not in this life. The presence of evil, the depth of human suffering, and the silence of heaven in moments of greatest need can shake even the strongest faith.

And yet, through the lens of Scripture, reason, history, and testimony, we begin to see a larger picture—one in which suffering is not the absence of God, but often the stage upon which His presence is revealed most clearly. Not always immediately. Not always obviously. But truly and powerfully, for those who have eyes to see and hearts to believe.

We have explored:

·         That God exists and is not indifferent to human pain.

·         That He has given us free will, which enables both love and rebellion.

·         That suffering, though tragic, can have purpose—and that God Himself has entered it through Christ.

·         That the Holy Spirit guides, comforts, and empowers us, even when explanations fall short.

·         That persecution has always been part of the Church’s story—and has often purified and expanded it.

·         That salvation and eternal life place all suffering into a greater redemptive context.

·         That the Church is called to be the hands and heart of Christ, bearing each other’s burdens and responding with compassion.

·         That personal testimonies provide living proof of hope in the midst of heartbreak.

These truths do not eliminate pain. But they provide a framework in which pain can coexist with faith, where doubt can lead to deeper trust, and where brokenness can become the soil of transformation.

In the end, the Christian hope is not in a world free from sorrow, but in a God who redeems sorrow. A God who brings beauty from ashes. A God who works all things—even tragedy—for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

A Call to Faith, Hope, and Action

To the grieving: You are not alone. God sees. He hears. And He draws near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).

To the questioning: Your doubts are welcome at the foot of the cross. God is not threatened by your struggle—He has entered it Himself.

To the Church: Rise up—not with empty words, but with compassionate presence. Be the light in dark places. Be the answer to someone’s prayer.

And to all who long for a world made right: Lift your eyes. The story is not over. The One who came to suffer has promised to return—not as the Lamb, but as the King, to wipe away every tear, to make all things new.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Until that day, we walk by faith. We hold to hope. And we love—boldly, deeply, and sacrificially—in the name of the One who first loved us.

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