Dr. Charles F. “Chuck” DeVane has been serving as our pastor since July 2004. A native of Valdosta, Georgia, he has been a pastor for fourteen years, serving churches  in Georgia and Arkansas. He and his wife, Martha, have four daughters: Christie, Ashley, Emily, and Courtney Grace. Christie is married to Jeremy Cothren and  they have one son, Jared. Pastor Chuck is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (D.Min., 1997), Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1990), and Valdosta State University (B.B.A., 1984).

email Chuck cdevane@fbcblakely.com

              In the dictionary we find this word:

“shock” – noun: 1. a sudden and violent blow or impact; collision; 2. a sudden or violent disturbance or commotion; 3. a sudden or violent disturbance of the mind, emotions, or sensibilities; 4. the cause of such a disturbance; 5. a collapse of circulatory function, caused by severe injury, blood loss, or disease, and characterized by pallor, sweating, weak pulse, and very low blood pressure; 6. the physiological effect produced by the passage of an electric current through the body; 7. shock absorbers, esp. in the suspension of an automobile.

See definition number “3,” and perhaps throw in a few of the others, to describe the feeling we all experienced when we learned of the terrible tragedy in the Justice family.  Shock gives way to questions.  Such questions yield too few answers.  Sadness soaks into our bones.  Then at the end of the day, these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  As people of faith, we hope that love will cover all tragedy and transgression. 

By talking and praying for you and with you, God has reminded me of some important truths.  They may not answer all of our questions, but we cannot question the answers they provide.  I surely do not know why this happened, but here is what I do know:

Bad things happen to good people.  Able was killed by his brother.  Moses died before he could set foot in the promised land.  Isaiah was cut in two.  John the Baptist was beheaded in prison.  The Lord Jesus Christ was crucified.  Matt, Amy, and Garrett lost their lives, good people in a good church, good teachers and students in good schools.  People made good by grace sometimes meet with a bad end, in this life.  

Good people can do bad things.  King David conspired to murder, in his right mind.  Simon Peter denied the Lord, sober as a church mouse.  Just think of what even good people can do when their minds are not right.  Our brain is a vital organ, like our lungs and heart.  Sometimes, vital organs break down and spread pain, even death, and sometimes the circle is wide. 

God works all things, especially the bad things, together for good.  I understand over a dozen people have received life and improved life through organ donations.  I believe families all over our community are pulling closer together. Our brothers and sisters at First United Methodist Church, and other Christians in the community, provided excellent ministry during a difficult time.  People are using their faith, clinging to hope, and pouring out love.  May these good things continue for the Beggs, the Justices, and for one another. 

Perhaps most of all, remember that we still have Emily.  She is now a family, church, and community treasure.  Let God do good things to her through us, so that the bad and tragic thing she has experienced will not prevent her from living a good and godly life to the glory of God. 

Dear Lord, increase our faith.  Help us to hold on strong to the hope of the gospel and eternal life.  Help us to love you with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love one another from the heart.  Bring us tothe place where good abounds and bad is forever banished.  Amen.

 Pastor Chuck