Another senseless act of violence today was targeted at the Family Research Council. A security guard is now in stable condition at a local hospital after being shot in the arm by a 28-year-old assailant. The suspect is now in custody. Multiple outlets are reporting that the young man specifically intended to attack FRC staff because of their conservative advocacy.
My prayers goes out to the security guard and his family as he recovers. His actions may have saved the lives of many. Washington, D.C., Police Chief Cathy Lanier said, “The security guard here is a hero, as far as I’m concerned.”
My heart is with the rest of the FRC staff. Their place of work will not feel safe after this. It will undoubtedly be difficult knowing there are those who would do violence against you because of your convictions.
Violence and hatred are a tragic reality in our fallen world.
Just a few weeks ago, we saw an attack on a defenseless movie theater. Then a mosque was burned down in Missouri, Sikhs were shot and killed in Wisconsin, a bomb detonated by an Islamic school in Chicago while worshipers were observing evening prayers, and an Arab Christian church in Michigan was the target of vandalism.
As Christians, we can be present to and for others in the midst of their own suffering. But, we can also be the people who every day do the things that make for peace. Random acts of violence rarely are as random as they seem at first glance. Every time we are a witness to the peace of Christ, we show that there is a different way to live. We never know what effect that might have.
May the God of peace be present to all who are suffering violence from the hands of broken people. May our own hearts be moved so that every day we are makers of peace.
Tim King is Chief Communications Officer at Sojourners.
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