When Everything Hidden Comes Into the Light (Part 2)
When Everything Hidden Comes Into the Light (Part 2)
Some topics weigh heavily on the heart, and this is one of them. Every time another school shooting happens, especially close to home, it forces us to confront the darkness that hides beneath the surface of our society. These tragedies raise painful questions—about loneliness, hate, influence, and the unseen battles people carry inside. And they remind us that what remains hidden eventually comes into the light.
Another School Shooting Close to Home
There’s been another tragic school shooting—this time in Santa Fe, Texas, not far from where I live. The shooter was a student from the same school as the victims. It’s heartbreaking and difficult to understand how someone so young could take the lives of classmates without empathy or remorse.
Since I first began writing about this, more mass shootings have occurred. They’ve become so frequent that they almost feel like a grim rhythm in our nation. It makes you wonder if we will ever see a time of peace.
Patterns Beneath the Violence
As I’ve reflected on these tragedies, I’ve noticed similarities among many of the shooters. They are often loners—young people who struggle to fit in, who drift toward groups that feed anger, resentment, and hate. Some of these groups trace their roots back to Nazism, Fascism, and supremacist ideologies.
These movements thrive on propaganda. They manipulate the mind, distort reality, exaggerate problems, and assign blame to entire groups of people. They stir up hatred toward anyone who disagrees. History has shown us where this path leads—millions murdered under Hitler’s regime, fueled by lies and dehumanization.
When someone is isolated, wounded, or searching for identity, these groups can feel like belonging. But the belonging is poisoned. And once hate takes root, it becomes like a runaway train—almost impossible to stop.
A Personal Story From My Own Life
I want to share something from my past, not to shift the focus, but because it shaped how I see people who feel lost or alone.
I’m a Vietnam veteran. When I returned home, there were no welcome ceremonies. I wanted friends, but I felt like I carried a curse. People kept their distance—or at least that’s how it felt. Eventually, I found a few friends, but not the right ones.
One of them was a gay man. I didn’t know he was gay at first. One night he invited me to a bar, and I assumed it was just a place to get drinks. When we walked in, I realized it was a gay bar. I was surprised—I didn’t even know such places existed.
I could have left, but I didn’t. I drank too much and eventually passed out. When I woke up, he was carrying me into my apartment. He took advantage of me. I let him. And when he left, I cried.
I cried out to God. I remembered asking Jesus into my life as a teenager and wondered how I had ended up in such a low place. I thought maybe I had done something wrong the first time I prayed that prayer. So I asked Jesus into my life again.
That moment changed everything. I started attending a non-denominational church with my brother. I found real friends—good friends. I met my wife there. We’ve been married 44 years this August. We have two wonderful daughters and four grandchildren we adore.
Looking back, I don’t feel animosity toward that man. He was gay; I am not. I don’t fully understand homosexuality, but I know it’s real. Some people are born with both sex organs—how do we explain that? Some things only God understands. I leave those things to Him.
What Jesus Reveals About Us
Scripture tells us that all of us have sinned. All of us have disobeyed God. None of us naturally seek Him. But Jesus came to show us the Father’s heart—full of compassion, healing, truth, and love.
He gave us two commandments that sum up all the rest: to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves—even our enemies. While we were still sinning, Christ died for us. He took our transgressions upon Himself. That kind of love changes people.
It doesn’t mean we are free to continue sinning. If we knowingly continue in sin after receiving His gift, it’s like crucifying Him all over again. We need help to live differently. That help comes from the Holy Spirit—our Helper—and from Jesus, our Teacher.
Seeing the Lonely Before They Break
When I think about the young people who become mass shooters, I can’t help but wonder what might have changed their path. What if someone had seen them? Really seen them? What if someone had welcomed them into a healthy group—one that didn’t judge them, didn’t pressure them, didn’t shove religion at them, but simply loved them?
People can sense when love is genuine. They can also sense when it’s forced or done out of obligation. Real love comes from the heart. And real love can reach someone before darkness does.
This reminds me of another post I wrote: The Heart – It’s Not Just a Pump. You might find it meaningful in this context.
Closing Prayer
Father God, bring Your light into the places where darkness hides. Heal the wounded, comfort the grieving, and open our eyes to those who feel unseen. Give us compassion for the lonely and the courage to love without fear. Teach us to reflect Your heart in a world that desperately needs Your peace. Amen.
