Today is September 11, 2006. I am sure that by the time you
are reading this message you will have realized that it is the 5th anniversary
of the world trade center attack, so my purpose in writing this email is not to
tell you that (though if you had not realized before, consider yourself
informed). My intention in writing today is to reflect on what happened on
September 11, 2001 in a way that might encourage you to live the life that God
has called you to today.
Different people have
different thoughts regarding 9/11 and what has ensued over the last five years.
It is strange to think that it was already five years ago. A lot of things have
changed in our Country and the world since then, some good and some bad. It is
quite probable that everyone that is reading this message has a different set
of opinions as far as the US response to terrorism, the war in Iraq, and other
related issues are concerned. I could say a lot about those things, but I would
rather use my time here to do something else. I want to talk to you about
something else that I have been thinking of a lot today. I want to talk to you
about the Church.
What does the church
have to do with 9/11? Everything. At least, it should. For most people there is
probably little correlation between the two and I think that is a problem. Now,
I'm not talking about the local church that you might attend. I am talking
about the Church as it is intended to be. I am talking about those of us who
have died to ourselves and are truly living in service to God. I am talking
about those who actually seek to follow Christ and live a life centered upon
loving God and others. That is the Church.
I hope that you took
a moment today to remember those who died in the World Trade Center attacks
five years ago. I also hope that you thought about all the other people who
have died in the aftermath, both Americans and others. But I also hope for
something else. I hope that you lived a life of love today. I hope that in the
midst of the memory of something terrible, you loved on those around you. I
hope you were a part of the Church today, that your life and the actions you
took today reflected the presence of God in your life. That is a better
memorial to the sanctity of human life than any words that we might utter.
Live a life of love.
Live a life filled with compassion that not only honors God, but that brings
His kingdom to earth. Live the life you are called to live. This is a world
that is filled with pain and sorrow. Recognize that reality, mourn for those who
have suffered, but do not stop there. Fight against it, not with the weapons of
the world, but with something bigger than that. Enter into the great story of
the kingdom of God. Become a part of the adventure of what it means to truly
follow Christ with all of your being. Be the Church. Be a catalyst for God's
redemptive and restorative work in creation. Join with countless others who
have dedicated their lives to something bigger than themselves.
I'm not talking about
accepting Christ as your personal savior. I'm not talking about professing
Christianity. I'm talking about living a life that is radically transformed by
the reality of God's presence in our lives. If we live like that then we will
begin to truly impact the world around us and the focus just might shift from
hate and terror to love and compassion. Remember the past, but do it by living
fully in the present. Don't let this day, or any other go by without love.
Bring Heaven to earth by loving the world around you. Be a part of the redemption
of creation rather than its destruction.
