Today, I want to speak especially to those who may be struggling to understand where God is in the midst of this tragedy.

The events at Big Church Festival have affected so many people. A life has been lost, others have been injured, and families, friends, witnesses, responders and the wider Big Church Festival community are carrying a weight of sadness that words cannot easily express.

Perhaps you are feeling downcast, worried, shaken or discouraged.

Perhaps you are asking the question that so often comes in moments like these:

“Why, God?”

I don’t pretend to have an answer.

There are moments when our theology does not remove the pain, our words seem inadequate, and we simply cannot understand why something has happened.

But today I want to remind you of one simple truth:

FATHER KNOWS.

Jesus said:

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” 
Matthew 6:8

Nothing about our pain is hidden from our Heavenly Father.

He knows the questions we cannot answer.
He knows the tears we have not yet cried.
He knows the shock and trauma people may be carrying.
He knows the family whose world has suddenly changed.
He knows those who are injured and recovering.
He knows those who witnessed what happened.
He knows the staff, volunteers and emergency responders who stepped forward to help.
And He knows the Big Church Festival team, who will be deeply affected by this tragedy.

Father knows.

When we don’t understand

One of the hardest things about faith is trusting God when life does not make sense.

It is easy to speak about God’s goodness when the sun is shining. It is much harder when the storm comes and we find ourselves asking questions for which there appear to be no answers.

Yet Scripture does not give us a picture of a distant Father who watches our suffering without concern.

The biblical picture of Father is intimate: Abba — Father.

He is our source, our sustainer, our strength and the One to whom we can run.

That does not mean we will always understand.

Faith is not pretending that tragedy does not hurt. It does not require us to suppress our questions or rush past our grief.

Sometimes faith simply says:

“Father, I don’t understand this — but I know You are here.”

Father knows what you are carrying

So today, whatever this tragedy has stirred within you, remember:

When you are weary, He knows and He is your strength.

When you are fearful, He knows and He is your peace.

When you are lost, He knows and He is the Good Shepherd.

When you are downcast, He knows and He is the lifter of your head.

When you are lonely, He knows and He draws near.

When you feel unloved, remember that God loved us so deeply that He gave His Son for us.

When you are caught in the storm, He knows — and the One who calmed the wind and waves is still with you in the boat.

When you feel as though you are drowning, you can still cry, “Lord, save me.”

When your heart is breaking, He knows — for He “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

When you have fallen, His everlasting arms are underneath you.

When you need comfort, He knows — and He has given us the Holy Spirit, our Comforter.

And when death itself causes us to fear, Jesus still declares:

“I am the resurrection and the life.” 
John 11:25

Father knows.

For those who are grieving

Today, our prayers must particularly surround the family and friends of the person who tragically lost their life.

There are no clever words for such a loss.

We should not try to explain away their grief. We simply pray that the God of all comfort will draw close to them, carry them through the days ahead and surround them with people who will love and support them.

We pray too for those who were injured, for their families and for everyone who witnessed or was directly involved in what happened.

And let’s remember the Big Church Festival team.

Behind an event like BCF are people who have poured their hearts, energy, prayers and lives into creating a place where thousands can gather to worship Jesus. They too will be hurting deeply.

May they know that the wider Church is standing with them, praying for them and supporting them through this.

He knows you by name

Jesus tells us that our Heavenly Father knows us so intimately that even the hairs on our heads are numbered.

Think about that.

The God who holds creation together knows you.

He knows every intimate detail of your life — your fears, your questions, your joys, your disappointments and the things you cannot find words to express.

So if today you are struggling, don’t feel that you have to manufacture some great expression of faith.

Just come to Him.

If all you can pray is:

“Father, help me.”

He hears.

If all you can say is:

“Father, I don’t understand.”

He understands.

If all you have are tears, He sees them.

And if you have no words at all, He still knows.

Father knows

Jesus said:

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” 
Luke 12:32

Today, perhaps more than anything else, we need to rediscover the security contained in those two words:

Your Father.

We don’t know why every tragedy happens.

We don’t have an explanation for every moment of suffering.

And faith does not mean pretending that we do.

But this we can know:

Our Father has not stopped being Father.

He is near to the brokenhearted.
He is present with those who grieve.
He is strength for those who are weary.
He is peace for those who are afraid.
He is comfort for those who mourn.
And ultimately, in Jesus, He is resurrection and life.

So today, let’s pray:

For the family who have lost someone they love.

For those who have been injured.

For those who witnessed what happened and may be carrying difficult memories.

For the staff, volunteers and emergency services who responded.

For the leadership and entire Big Church Festival team.

And for one another.

When we cannot understand, when we cannot explain, and when we simply don’t know what to say, may we hold on to this:

FATHER KNOWS.

And may we place ourselves, and everyone affected by this tragedy, into His loving hands.