Just a few miles north the city of Nashville and the world of Country Music gathered to watch the Country Music Awards show. With the recent mass shooting at a country music concert in California, many wanted to express their condolences to the families who were hurt and to the country as a whole.

One of the highlights of the evening was Carry Underwood’s performance of “Softly and Tenderly.” During the song she became so emotional that she stopped singing. The song is a wonderful expression of the invitation which continues to be offered by God’s people on behalf of Christ–come home.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me./

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.

O for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

Much of the public spectacle is rabidly anti-Christian. But when tragedy strikes, people turn to God for help. As another song says, “where could I go, but to the Lord.?” The key to being prepared for tragedy is to be with God  before tragedy strikes. This is the only way to find true security.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

 Romans 5:1–2.