“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?”
My son was there. He works there. He lives there.
He was on the strip when the shooting was going on. Helping others.
As I write this, an exact motive is not known. There is much speculation – plenty deal- ing with mental health and/or terrorism and/or the government/system and/or . . . The thing about speculation is the revelations it makes about the people who speculate.
Often our worst dreams are as far as our speculation will go. Until someone else adds their worst dreams. As long as the dream clouds keep gathering, showers of nonsense pour down upon us. Stop speculation and we will have a better world!
A remedy to the senseless violence?
Let me first speak to the matter of gun control. The NRA (a US based gun freedom group) are often labelled as the lobby group keeping guns in people’s hands. Gun control groups lobby for keeping guns locked up and inaccessible. I personally appreci- ate a Canadian approach that so far has only been haggling over proper use of guns, instead of wide open use of guns.
A cliche hits at truth. Guns are not the problem, people are the problem. We can restrict and rein in people, but the heart of the matter is a person’s heart. Those who follow the Christian religion explanation of this type of evil recognize that the law points out wrong, but cannot determine a person’s actions.
If everyone in our world were to have hearts of love, compassion and concern for oth- ers and for their maker – there would be a completely different atmosphere. Instead of coercion by force there would be cooperation by reconciliation. Forgiveness instead of anger would prevail. Humility instead of power would reign.
And we know that’s not going to happen! Or do we?
This new heart will not arise because we are trying to be nice – we’ve seen enough coping strategies go awry. The new heart begins in the heart of the creator and is ad- opted by humans, willingly and with humility. The new heart is implanted by the creator and functions towards full capability as the heart is exercised. The new heart is the creator living in you to will and to do what the creator considers to be good and perfect.
Then, a small community can make a difference. A city block can show the way. A com- munity organization can restructure to place the priority on others. A church can live up to the ideals they proclaim.
Peace on earth and good will towards all.
