9-11 is Here to Stay
by Randy Becton
"It's time to move on," Molly Albert said. "My world has been forever changed," Christina Bibby remarked. The national conversation goes on.
Interviews with "people-on-the-street" flow through The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, and the broadcast giants -- ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN keep us on edge everyday with features on international terrorists, homeland security, SDA (a missile defense shield), and the numerous vulnerabilities America has. To my mind what happened on 9-11-2001 forever stands as a symbol of a violent and unpredictable world. What can we think, do, or say when we all have a level of anxiety or uncertainty? Seared into our soul is the value of each person God has created. But we also know the evil that drives one person to kill another. How can we maintain hope?
The one year anniversary of 9-11 is very painful. Some say, "We should remember", others say, "Life goes on". Many seek comfort in the escape of entertainment: TV, movies, ballgames, gambling, drinking and partying. Why do they do this? It keeps them from having to deal with the ultimate questions of life. They would rather deal with those later, not now.
I want to offer some suggestions for keeping 9-11 deep in your heart:
- Make the anniversary a day of kind deeds for someone who has experienced loss.
- Pray for our leaders to make wise decisions for our safety.
- Take special notice of the foreign born people around you. Instead of avoiding them, greet them warmly. God has taught us to be kind to strangers.
- Consider making a financial gift to World Vision or Food for the Hungry to care for innocent children in Palestine who are suffering. They are our ministry, not our enemy.
- Express gratitude to your local firemen and police -- a note, a freshly baked cake, a personal word of thanks will be greatly appreciated.
- Help someone around you who believes this day should hold no special meaning know that you believe differently. You believe that we should never forget!
- Encourage your Sunday school class or group of friends to do something financially beneficial to a fatherless child of a fireman, or policeman. You might do something such as providing a summer camp scholarship.
You have the decision to make. Will you remember 9-11 with purpose and solidarity with those who weep that day? Will you do something positive for others to bring glory to God? Or, will you add your voice to those who choose to consider it just another day?
One thing seems clear to me: December 7 is a day of remembrance for Pearl Harbor and September 11 should be a day of remembrance as well.
Our lives were forever changed by those violent, evil attacks. We must counterattack with the most powerful weapon: love. As those made in God's image, we desire to imitate Him.
Are you presently experiencing a new life? God's word says, "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" This new life is a free gift of God through faith Jesus Christ. If you want to know more about this life that only Jesus can give you, sign up for one of our Bible courses. Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again. You may also contact Randy Becton at rbecton@heraldoftruth.org if you have questions about becoming a new creation.
Posted: 09/10/2002
URL: http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200209/20020910_here.html(c) 2002, Herald of Truth and Randy Becton <rbecton@heraldoftruth.org>. From http://www.heraldoftruth.org, used by permission.
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