“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” —Proverbs 3:5
It’s hard to comprehend when a work day ends with fatal gun shots as it did last week at Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, Illinois. Five people were tragically killed in the Feb. 14 shooting. As the heartbroken community binds together to remember their grandfathers, fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, friends, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team is standing right alongside those grieving.
“We just want to offer a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on to people who have been affected by this tragic event,” said Josh Holland, assistant director of the Rapid Response Team (RRT).
Crisis-trained chaplains have been in Aurora, a suburb of Chicago, since last Saturday, visiting the memorial site set up outside of the valve manufacturer and also attending prayer vigils. They’re there to listen compassionately when people remember that day or reflect on the five vibrant lives lost. The chaplains are also willing to pray with anybody who wants to do so.
Leaders of the Sunday vigil invited RRT chaplain Al New to offer the closing prayer. A heavy sorrow, he later said, seems to just hang in the air over this tightly woven community.
“The whole town is grieving,” New said. “They’re trying to pull together and help each other through a very bad circumstance that took place.”
In addition to the five employees fatally shot, another was injured. Five law enforcement officials were also injured during a shootout with the suspect, who ultimately was located and mortally wounded by police.
Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman was later quoted by one news outlet commending law enforcement, saying, “They took on gunfire but pressed on (until they located the shooter). They are true heroes.”
Now these officers and other first responders are dealing with the aftermath of that harrowing experience, seemingly a first for this city of 200,000 people. RRT chaplains are offering support to the local police and fire departments during this time.
Hearts are broken right now, and many people are asking, “Why?” That immediately takes New to Proverbs 3:5 in the Bible. The verse reminds us we aren’t in control, but we know the One who is, and we can trust Him.
“We don’t understand everything, and that’s why we can’t lean on our own understanding. But [the Bible verse] goes on to say we should trust in the Lord, and that’s what we should do. That’s what we have to do.”
Please keep this community—including first responders—in your prayers.
Does your world feel out of control? Find peace with God today.
