I remember.
There are some events in life that are so shocking, so incomprehensible, that they are forever imprinted on our minds and our lives.
September 11, 2001 was just such a moment.
I woke up that morning to what seemed like a normal day. I put on a semblance of a "face" as my youngest prepared for school. We piled into the car, and headed over to pick up the two brothers we car-pooled with. We arrived, I honked the car, and we waited…
…and waited.
Finally, one of the brothers came to the car. Just as he was climbing in, his brother rushed out.
"Where have you guys been?" I asked. "I was worried that we were going to be late."
All of a sudden they both started telling me how a plane had flown into one of the Twin Towers, and it was burning, and it looked like our country was under attack…
"Yeah, right," I said. I thought they were joking, or that they'd been playing some video game.
Somberly they replied, "No, it's really happening."
We flipped on the radio. And the tragic story began to unfold. As soon as I got home, I turned on the television.
And there I sat, glued to the screen, for the next two months.
You remember, it was stunning, mesmerizing, surreal, and so very, very tragic.
I think, in some way, every American citizen felt those planes crash into their own lives – and security and blind innocence burned to the ground. Our country would never be the same…
But we recovered – scarred and more wary, yes – but we still stood strong as a nation.
What happened?
I'm sorry, but I don't think this country learned the most important lesson of 9/11. It didn't turn back to God. Maybe temporarily, yes – but a life-changing repentance, a confession of sin and a resolve to live by moral, Christian values? Not so much.
We cannot afford to miss the message of 9/11. Evil can reach our shores and decimate us on our own "turf." We are perhaps more vulnerable than we think. But most of all, we have forgotten our God, in whom we should trust.
Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" – though originally a message given to the nation of Israel through the prophet, Jeremiah – should serve as a warning to us, too:
"'I am watching them closely, and I see every sin. They cannot hope to hide from me. I will double their punishment for all their sins, because they have…filled my territory with their evil deeds…Now I will show them my power; now I will show them my might. At last they will know that I am the LORD.'"
(Jeremiah 16:17-18, 21)
I feel like America, and the world itself, is half-asleep – dozing comfortably in a sin-soaked dream. We're calmly hitting the *snooze button* on the alarm that's trying to alert us to danger.
I shudder to think what a "wake-up call" might look like.
Yes, let's take today and remember all those people – civilians and rescuers – who lost their lives on that terrible day. Let's remember the people they left behind. Let's stop and honor all the people who have fought since that day for the cause of freedom.
Let's erect a proud ***star-spangled banner*** in our hearts, and stand tall as a nation.
But, I pray that we do one more thing – the most important thing.
I pray that we remember our LORD, the Almighty God of Heaven's Armies, the one true God that rules over all the world in His Sovereignty.
May we as a nation, and as individuals, remember and turn back – back to Him.
Back to true worship, back to His Holy Word, back to faith in His Son, back to right living and godly values.
Let us say along with Jeremiah, the words of a people wholly devoted to God:
"LORD, you are [our] strength and fortress, [our] refuge in the day of trouble!
Nations from around the world will come to you and say, 'Our ancestors left us a foolish heritage, for they worshiped worthless idols…'
But we worship at your throne – eternal, high, and glorious!
O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who turn away from you will be disgraced…for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water.
…[but] blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water." (From Jeremiah 17)
Yes, I remember.
Where were you on 9/11?
And on this anniversary, what is your resolve about worshiping the Lord?
"When in doubt, search God out."
Oh Sharon, this is so powerful and wonderful. I stand with you this morning, an entire continent away, and join your hands in prayer.
ReplyDeleteAnd I say to you, Amen.
Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen Sharon! I totally agree with what you said and we need to come back to truly worshipping God, revering him, holding him in the highest esteem. Every event like this is a reminder to people about their eternity and where they will be spending it. I think, like you said, while it is fresh in one's mind they make a half hearted effort maybe to seek out God but then when things return to "normal", they go back to their routines. But the sad reality is there are people who lost their lives that day 10 years ago, or in earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, etc that didn't take their eternity seriously or didn't take God's word seriously. And that is again our job to continue to get the message out about Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI'll be worshipping this morning, praising God and thanking him for who he is
betty
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteAn excellent post, I am not american, but I remember well where I was and what I was doing that day (my blog today tells) Yes I agree, I think we do have to wake up, our countries have to wake up, we need Jesus. We need to tell others about Jesus. I am thankful that He is with me, in my past, my present and my future.
Praise His Name.
God Bless - Nita.
You are right, Sharon. As a whole, this nation has not turned back to God. In fact, in some respects we are further away than before 9/11/01.
ReplyDeleteI resolve to worship the Lord day by day and honor Him in all I do. I write because I want others to know where the only peace, the only truth, the only hope comes from.
Blessings to you my friend.
Joan
Yes, Sharon, I remember how those few days, perhaps weeks afterward, there was a sense of unity and everyone was talking about praying and God in the midst of so much sorrow. Then . . . the days pass and history is slowly rewritten - restated - spun to feather agendas.
ReplyDeleteGod is put on the back burner again.
I pray we remember! Remember 9/11, yes - but - REMEMBER GOD.
May the Lord be our first thought in the morning, and our last thought at night before sleep. May the Lord be present in every thought throughout our day.
Perhaps I am being too simplistic to suppose that were God placed squarely center in every breath - His Kingdom would come and His Will be done - come earthquakes, hurricanes, or 9/11!
Turn our hearts, O Lord . . .
Joy!
Kathy
This was stirring Sharon, and expresses just what I am feeling. What on earth are we all doing?? That old expression 'man is running straight toward eternity', but not running to the only One who holds eternity!.
ReplyDeleteI join you in prayer today. Remember that old son 'people need the Lord'?... nothing has changed that truth, the only truth that really matters.
I am with you sister - let us never forget. sandie
ReplyDeleteThis Sunday, 9/11, was a good chance to stop and reflect on what really matters in life. And it's also a good chance to remember what really and truly matters in eternity.
ReplyDeleteI pray for a revival in this country - and I pray that it starts in individual hearts.
And I pray that God strengthens our own hearts. May we worship Him in truth and confidence - and may we spread His message of Good News to a country and a world that so desperately needs Him.
GOD BLESS!