Another school shooting! My heart grieved when I saw the news. Nineteen children and two adults. Dead.
No! I screamed inside. Not again! This can’t go on!
I cried out to God, “When is this going to stop?”
Immediately I heard in my spirit: When you stop glamorizing violence.
I never would have thought to use glamour and violence in the same sentence. But that was it. As a culture we have done that. And I became angry. Angry at all the ways our society glamorizes, idealizes—even romanticizes violence and calls it entertainment. I was angry at myself for what I have allowed and invited into my home through my TV and computer. Angry that young children are playing murder in video games. Angry that nobody seems to be talking about or doing anything about the root issues of this problem. And here we are again, mourning the loss of innocent lives.
More was stirring inside me and I realized what it was. “How come no one is training these boys to be men?” I cried out. There is a whole generation being discipled by video games, YouTube, and popular media. Where are the parents?
Where are the fathers—those positioned to train young minds into maturity and character? Where are they? Far too many are distracted, addicted, self-consumed, and emotionally unavailable. Far too many grew up on video games, violent movies, and self-focused sports and have remained boys.
Where are the mothers—those designed to care for the hearts and teach their children how to care for others and not just themselves? What makes them unavailable or unwilling to parent instead of being a friend to their children? What has become more important to them than raising their children to be responsible adults and contributing members of society?
It’s time that we, as a culture, start addressing the root issues of these acts of violence. It’s time we talked about this with others. It’s time we took tough stands. And it’s time we looked at ourselves. How are we cooperating with the glamorization of violence?
Take time to dialogue with the Lord:
Lord, are there ways I am glamorizing violence in my own life?
As part of the American culture, are there ways I am participating in this?
Lord, Is there anything you are asking of me — that I might be part of the solution?
