By: Carl Ellis On 8/31/2011
Around the country on September 11, many groups will be remembering the victims, survivors, families, and heroes of the day the United States was attacked by terrorists. Since that time, I would suggest our country has experienced a number of events which have shaken our lives. Tornadoes have leveled communities; hurricanes have washed away neighborhoods; floods and droughts have destroyed homes and crops. There are families who have had personal 9/11’s where violence has destroyed innocent lives; cancer, AIDS, and other diseases have cut lives short; and unemployment has wiped out the spirit and hope of many of our brothers and sisters.
So, how will we remember the 9/11’s of our day? There are some who suggest that we fly the flag as a symbol of our unity and national pride. We fly the flag to honor those who lost their lives and the heroes who went beyond self to save and help others. Some will place wreaths at Ground Zero, place flowers on the graves of those who lost their lives, and send letters of support to those who were left behind. I hope that we, as a nation, will take time to remember.
However, I believe there is one other step that we, as Christians, need to take on 9/11. I believe it is time for us to refocus on God’s love and grace for every human being. Long ago, God sent his Son that we might understand the dignity and worth of every person. At times, we have lost focus of the “main thing.” 9/11 can not only be a time when we honor and remember, but also a time when we bring our lives back into line with God’s love and grace.
On 9/11 this year, we, as a country, will come together for a few hours to honor and remember 9/11. Then we will quickly forget our need to work together and return to heated and hurtful words which divide our nation. We who call ourselves Christians , we who call ourselves disciples, we who worship the God who sent his only Son to die for our sins, need to refocus and become God’s light to a world that experiences 9/11 on a daily basis.
I know no other way to refocus than through scripture and prayer. Refocus not on the passage which proves our position, but listen deeply to what God wants us to hear. Pray not with our shopping list of what we want and how God needs to change our enemy, but pray that God might help us to be like Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.
On September 11, 2011, I invite you to participate in the “Taking Charge Webinar . . . ripping a hole in the roof.” During the hour webinar, we will pray for 9/11 victims, survivors, heroes, and our country. Then we will spend time refocusing on how we, as Christians, and how our churches can rediscover the hope God has for us through his Sacred Word. In Mark 2, Jesus heals a paralytic not because of the man’s faith but because of the faith of his friends. Just think how we, as Christians, can transform a world when we have faith in our brothers and sisters. To register, click on the following link:
http://www.kswestumc.org/registrations/register/172
Wherever you may be on this 9/11, I pray you might rediscover God’s love and grace, which transform your life and our world.
Comments