By Katie Altobellis

Loss of life by violence is always tragic; more so it seems when that life is cut short at a young age, not having had a chance to operate in or see its full potential and promise… or so it might seem to some.

Whether you watched the Trayvon Martin case from start to finish or not and think you know the right answer for guilt or innocence here, the only three who know exactly what happened that February night in 2012 are God, Zimmerman and Martin.

 As these kinds of cases always seem to do, it has further deeply divided our country over race relations just as the enemy intended and we fall into his trap every time. To support this stance, I offer to you some chilling responses made after the verdict was announced.  One professional athlete said the jury should go home and hang themselves for their decision.  Others chanted, “No justice, no peace.”  Organizers of an online protest encouraged listeners to “call in angry” and “to call in crazy.”   Responses by some on Facebook and Twitter were filled with the same hatred and vengeance.   Many feel that just because the verdict did not go their way, justice did not prevail.

When we encourage each other to act negatively and bitterly, we are being our own worst enemy. It never seems to fail that when a case like this has an undesired result, revenge is what some try to exact.  Will we ever learn?  It was Einstein who said, “Insanity:  doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”  He was not wrong.

But what if Martin’s life was lived start to finish, as God planned.  Perhaps his life and the way he died was somehow meant to instill in others ways to think differently and slowly help a nation to heal old wounds.  Perhaps outlandish laws like “stand your ground” will be looked at again and repealed.  I am convinced that there is more here than meets the eye.

Just remember the Lord’s promise: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”