Photo from here A few days ago, my husband, who happens to be the pastor, had finished his sermon and we had just finished the closing song. Several times throughout the service that day, people had walked up to him, whispered in his ear. I could tell there was a problem. When he got up to dismiss the congregation, he shared that he had received word (and had someone confirming details throughout the service) that there was a gunman on the west side of our city who had just shot a police office and that there were others who were in harm's way. As a family, we prayed for the safety of those involved and for this man with a gun. Later that day, it was confirmed that one police officer had been killed and another officer and his canine unit had been critically injured.
Today, my boys and I were having lunch at McDonalds when my oldest son noticed people parking in the McDonalds' parking lot and then crossing the street. We thought it strange because there is nothing across from McDonalds. And then we realized they were crossing to the median and just standing there, waiting in the freezing rain. That's when we saw the first police car go by. Once we realized what we were watching, we turned around in amazement as squad car after squad car passed by. Some of those having lunch got up and went to the window. A few even made their way out to the median to join the others. We watched for what seemed like a really long time as this long precessional of police cars, ambulances, firetrucks and more led the way as the hearse carried this young officer's body to the church to prepare for a service this evening.
As I sat there watching this moving display of commraderie and brotherhood, I couldn't help but think of Ken's sermon on Sunday. Just before he made the shocking announcement to our congregation, he had been speaking from the book of Joshua about how some decisions affect the whole community. We've been in a series on the life of Joshua called Big Shoes, and this particular Sunday, we focused on Joshua's leadership as he came face to face with how one man's sin, Achan, impacted more than just himself. Achan had disobeyed God and as a result of that one decision, his sons and daughters and even the whole of Israel paid the price. (You can read the story of Israel's defeat and God's judgement in the book of Joshua, chapters 7 & 8.)
Today, our flags are flying at half-mast in the state of Wisconsin. There are blue ribbons on lampposts, street signs, tree trunks and parked cars in honor of this fallen hero. There are family members grieving, co-workers devastated, a child left fatherless, and a community rocked by this tragedy.
Because of Joshua's leadership in the story of Achan, because he cared more about the honor of God's name than he did about himself (Ch. 7, vs. 9), he led Israel to unite and purify themselves, and God led them in a great victory.
My prayer is that somehow, as this city walks through this tragedy, God's great name will be honored and this city will see great victory!
Sunday, we sang this song in our service before we knew what this city would be facing. Just pause the player in the upper right column to listen.
