Where is God in the midst of pain & suffering?

Praying for the the families who lost loved ones in Newtown, CT ... Jesus, comfort the families and friends who are suffering from the loss of their loved ones. This world is getting darker and darker =/

This was a status that awakened me to the heart-breaking news yesterday morning. I was working from my new Elizabeth apartment, where I do not have television and only have limited internet. Suddenly my phone buzzed with Facebook notifications, informing me of the terribly horrifying shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. Knowing I didn't have television, Christa (pictured below, click here for a recent story on her) quickly called me to fill me in on the details. I couldn't help but cry out to God, wondering why.

I immediately searched for scripture of comfort, like 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 to send to her and post on the Jersey Metro Cru and Kean Cru facebook pages. Later, Christa posted this status:

I am praying for those families who lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy ! I couldn't stop the tears from falling today. God I don't know why you allowed such an awful thing to happen today ... but I know that if anyone understands heartache, pain and suffering it's you. GOD YOU GAVE UP YOUR SON JESUS FOR A FALLEN PEOPLE WHO DID NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU. YOU WERE SCORNED, BEATEN, MOCKED, TORTURED, HUNG ON A CROSS and DIED FOR A PEOPLE THAT WOULD REJECT YOU. WOW ! I can hope in a GOD who understands my suffering and my heartache. God is relatable and he allows things to happen to show how fallen this world is and how much it is crying out for it's Redeemer.

I was so proud to read this status of hers. When I called to discuss her appropriately biblical perspective and compassion for those suffering, Christa told me she was inspired by Alyssa Bethke. She is the wife of Christian Spoken Word artist, Jefferson Bethke. When I went to Alyssa's blog to read her perspective of yesterday in light of our Savior, I found such an encouraging article. Alyssa prays at the end:

Thank you that You are not a God who is high on His throne and looks away when evil happens, but rather You are a God who is high on His throne and who came down to earth to suffer and die for us- for sin- for our sin- and who rose again. You are a God who intimately knows our suffering, who suffered more than we will ever know. And rose again, offering HOPE and life for us.

To God be the Glory

Christa screaming "Jesus!"

Kean Cru News

           I’ve been tempted this semester to feel discouraged as though nothing is happening with the movement at Kean but the truth is God is working a lot! Yet at our last Jersey Cru of the semester, Christa Diaz, Kean Cru leader was able to give her testimony about bringing God glory.

           Earlier this semester my dear sister in Christ and disciple, Christa Diaz, ran for and won the Homecoming Queen title at Kean. This University is not known to show favor in any way to the Christian students and yet in a stadium full of football fans, they mentioned Jesus Christ’s name because of Christa’s involvement and leadership in the ministry at Kean! 

"Right after it was all over, I went to my room and had a Quiet time with the Lord. For me it was just a great picture of how we're going to cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus in heaven. It was a wonderful experience to give Him all the glory!"  - Christa Diaz at Jersey Cru

          Influenced by her passion for Jesus, a student journalist for the Kean ExChange (student media journal) asked if he could video interview several of the members of Cru to find out more about what it is that Homecoming Queen, Christa Diaz, is passionate about. “What is it about Cru that causes so many people to come out?” he asked. “Well, we all have one goal in common and that’s to glorify Jesus!” stated Liscet Duran, last year’s Homecoming runner up and current graduate leader with Kean Cru.

          The same week a follow up video of the Homecoming King & Queen was released, this video on “Kean Cru—a Campus Crusade for Christ Ministry” was posted online just alongside it. Christa’s comments on Jesus were edited out of the homecoming video, but God still got all the glory from the Cru video which mentions Jesus name repeatedly through students!