Seven years. There is something
oddly holy and more transcendent about that number than the ones that have come
before. Some of you have received an email from me on this day for the last six
years, and for others of you this is the first such email of mine that has crossed
your path. Whatever the case, I believe that there is value in me taking a few
minutes to reflect on the significance of what this day should mean.
September 11 was a significant day in the
history of our country. Many people (including myself) have compared 9/11 to
the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in terms of the surprise, devastation, and
shock that affected our country. But there is more than just the pain and
destruction of that day that is worthy of note. It was a day of hope and of the
common man making a difference and showing love and compassion. Like the
attacks on Pearl in 1941, the terrorist action on 9/11 proved to be a catalyst
for simple common individuals to step up and make a difference in the lives of
other people. While it is important to think of the big picture as well, today
I want to focus on the individual moments.
It is those little moments that live forever
in our memories. 9/11 is already just another page in a history textbook for
many grade school students. There isn't a child in my Mom's class who was even
born when the attack happened. For most of us it is only a distant memory, akin
to Pearl Harbor, Vietnam, the Kennedy assassination, or a myriad of other
significant causes of death and mourning in our country's history. But at the
same time, the moments are still with us. Watching the movie with Nicholas Cage
portraying the heroic police officer who was willing to give his life to save
those in need, seeing a picture on the internet, or hearing the story of
someone who was there can all bring something back and give us pause. This
morning I listened to the world trade center tribute set to the music of Enya
in her song "Only Time" and it made me remember that day very
clearly. It is the only day of my entire life that I have intentionally ditched
school and just not gone to a class. It was a significant day.
So remember 9/11 today. Take a moment and stop
and remember the significance of that day. Say a prayer for the thousands of
lives that are still attempting to recover from the sudden ravishing of seven
years ago. And then expand your prayer. Think of the 30,000 children that will
die today from stupid preventable poverty and hunger related illness. Think of
the thousands of people whose lives have been destroyed by flood, fire, and
famine. We are a blessed people who have been given a task by our God in Heaven
to bless the world we live in. So lets remember what really matters and seek to
love each other and advance God's kingdom in the world rather than just being focused
on ourselves.
This is an important season for our country.
We will soon be facing one of the most significant presidential elections in
American history. It is a big deal and our future will look very different
depending on what happens in that election. But as we think about who to vote
for and listen to the rhetoric of both candidates, lets think beyond simply our
own personal needs and think about what we should do as citizens of God's
kingdom. I don't really care if you profess to follow God or not. I don't
really care if you show up in a church building somewhere on Sunday mornings or
not. I do care if you think and operate out of a base of love and compassion.
Lets be who God told us to be. Lets live out of love and fill each day with the
kind of selfless loving sacrifice that we saw exhibited on 9/11.
I hesitate to quote Edmund Burke because so
many people do and I don't want to just seem like everyone else, but right now
his oft quoted statement comes to mind...
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing
Frequent usage does not make it any less true.
Evil will indeed prevail if the good stands by and watches. Don't watch. Don't
wait. Be a part of the solution.
