In the midst of tragedy…we can prevail!
April 22, 2007
Poet and Activist Nikki Giovanni delivered a soul-stirring speech that offered hope and consolation to the millions who witnessed Wednesday’s Invocation that took place on the Campus of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia.
The underlying message that came from the lips of Giovanni was not only for those directly affected by the Virginia Tech tragedy, but for all mankind, for all time.
The whole concept of prevailing in tragedy is not new, yet many do not know how to prevail when faced with tragedy. It (tragedy) prompts many to question God’s motive for allowing ‘bad’ things to happen in our lives (and around the world).
We ask God…
- Why didn’t you stop the Virginia Massacre?
- Why do you allow so many innocent people to die in Iraq?
- Why did you allow my friend to die?
- Why did you allow my daughter to get pregnant?
The reality is that we live in an evil world and until the end of time, there will be terrorist attacks, wars, hurricanes, shootings and starvation.
God may not always protect us from pain, but His promise is that He will help us deal with pain. He promised to help us deal with difficult situations, He promised to give us the tools to help others who have experienced tragedy, He promised to help us Prevail!
Giovanni ended her speech with these words: “we are strong and brave and innocent and unafraid. We are better than we think, not quite what we want to be. We are alive to the imagination and the possibility we will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears, through all this sadness.”
In the midst of tragedy, with God’s help, we can prevail!
From my heart, to yours,
Akhenaton
-Read more about Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor, poet, activist here
[...] Her speech centered on prevailing in the aftermath of the April 16th tragedy, while touching on recurrent worldwide tragedies like children dying of AIDS (among other things). Read my account of the Virgia Tech Tragedy and Giovanni’s speech here [...]