Mosque Shooting

Five people—three victims and two teenage suspects—are dead after a shooting at a San Diego mosque on Monday. Law enforcement was actively looking for one of the alleged shooters even before the attack began due to a concerned call from his mother. The teenager stole weapons and a family vehicle from his home, dressed in camouflage, and was joined by a second teen. The attack killed three men at the mosque, and both teens died from apparent self-inflicted wounds a short distance from the scene. Officials continue to investigate the attack, but evidence pointing to religious hatred as a motive was recovered at the scene.

Analysis and eternal perspective: We live in a world rife with brokenness. It goes without saying, and yet you and I hold the antidote for it. The strains and the fissures in our world get many labels—hate, mental illness, racism, etc.—and each of those evils are certainly a factor. But at its core, the brokenness in our world is rooted in a separation from the Creator God.

Every person—including you—was made on purpose and for a purpose by a loving God (Ps. 139:14, Jer. 1:5). When an evil act like this occurs, it is a clear sign that evil has been given a place of prominence over this Truth in an individual’s heart and mind.

When we say each person was made on purpose, it is a reminder of Psalm 139:14, which calls you “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

When we say each person was made for a purpose, we are harkening to Jeremiah 1:5 which tells us the Creator knew you and set you apart even before He made you!

But note the end of Psalm 139:14: “I know that full well.” Friends, that is our mandate this week—to help those around us fully grasp a soul-level knowledge of their intentional design! They, like you, are created, known, and loved by the very God who formed them! They, like you, were made on purpose and for a purpose! They, like you, have a need to know it full well!