Ottawa Shootings

For the most part, radio is full of fun.  I get to play great songs, give away cool prizes, and share what's on my mind and heart.  But every once in awhile, all of the "planned" elements of the show get thrown out.  That was the case on Wednesday October 22 when a man with a gun shot and killed a Canadian soldier at the War Memorial in Ottawa.  He then ran into the Parliament buildings before he was finally shot and killed.

I was also doing a radio show on the day the planes hit the Twin Tower in New York City on 9/11.

In both situations, we as a country were shocked and probably a little bit scared wondering if and what would happen next.  The simple answer in both situations is, we don't know.

You say, Steve, that certainly wasn't very encouraging.  You are supposed to be the guy to bring peace and hope to the listeners.  Truth be told, I tried to do that on 9/11.  I was working at an "oldies" radio station at the time playing the best of the 50's, 60's, and 70's.  No one really listened to the music for hope and encouragement.  Instead, we looked to our government to step up our security to make sure something like this would never happen again.

But the book of James 1 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

So...we know that our lives will have scary moments.  Worst of all, there will be situations we can't control.  But the four verses in James are not only about the trials.  It says, "your faith produces perseverance."

We are just like Peter walking on the water to Jesus in the storm.  As long as we keep our eyes on Him, we don't sink.

When the shootings happened in Ottawa, I was on the air at LIFE 1003.  Honestly, I was shocked and concerned for the well being of everyone involved.  My heart broke for the soldier who was shot.  I thought of his family and friends and how October 22 would never be the same for them.

But the biggest difference for me from then to now, was the music.  On 9/11, the music did not provide any hope or encouragement.  In that moment, it was just empty lyrics.  But on LIFE, every song brought hope and encouragement.  Here is a list of the songs that played when the news of the shooting first broke:

Mandisa - Stronger - "God's right there, even if you can't see Him, I promise you that he still cares."
Tenth Avenue North - No Man Is An Island - "I can see fear in your eyes, There's No safety here.  Oh My Friend, let me in.  I will share your tears."

And...

After 11 years, I am so honoured to be able to play such a small part in what God is doing in Central Ontario.