You expect the headlines, maybe even dread them, but still it’s a shock: Four dead in terrorist attack in London. The perpetrator, yes. But also a policeman, a mom picking up her kids and a husband from Utah. Dozens injured and thousands whose lives have been permanently marked.

What do we do? How should we feel? Does either really matter?

The mantra for this email, and increasingly my life, is think like God thinks and love like Jesus does. In Matthew 14 we see Jesus get hammered with the similarly crushing news of his cousin’s murder by the terrorist Herod. What did he think and do?

“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. . . . When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

Jesus headed to the hills. Often when Jesus “got away” it was to pray, to reflect and hang out with the Father. I wonder if maybe to also ask why.

But then the crowds crashed the retreat. Matthew says Jesus had compassion on them, he healed the sick, he fed them. I think we’re safe guessing he also told them some cool stories. Basically he got on with the work of God’s kingdom.

I’m not saying this is the correct, complete response for everyone. It neither erases anger nor eliminates confusion, but it’s not a bad place to start. Get some time to pray. Pour out your heart to the father, the good, the bad and the ugly. (In case that doesn’t just describe my heart!) Then see the crowds and wade in. Heal the sick. Feed the hungry. Tell the stories of Jesus to whoever will slow down for a minute and listen. [Tweet this]