Then And Now
I was a 20 year old grocery store worker on the morning shift. It was a slow morning in my small town and just after the first tower hit a customer came in telling the employees what was happening. Listening on the radio that was hooked up to the intercom, fear came over me. I was young and so uncertain of the magnitude that was becoming more transparent with each passing minute. My manager let me go home early and I arrived home in time to see the both towers collapse to the ground below. I don't need to tell you this. You have seen the videos and reports. It was a day that I never thought would end. The safe United States I once knew was no more. My life changed. Our nation changed.
Most of us have a story. Most of us will never forget where we were or what we were doing on September 11, 2001. We remember how we felt when reports of the twin towers were hit. Shock. Fear. Disbelief. We remember the patriotism that followed. We united as one nation, prayed for the first responders, victims, and families. We cried, held hands, held memorials and had hope that those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. We were America. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
It was fifteen years ago and I still remember those moments. It is as clear as it was when it happened. With each passing year, however, I don't see the same patriotism today as in 2001. I don't see one nation under God. I don't see 'indivisible, with liberty and justice for all'. I see division, one nation under self, with "I will do whatever I want because I don't have to listen to you, and who stinking cares about justice for anyone!!" It's sad really. No one takes responsibility for their own actions. Someone else is always to blame.
On Sunday (September 11, 2016), pastor Nolan talked about the events of that day and we pondered just exactly how far we have come since. Many questions continue to surface. A popular one is, "Could God have stopped 9/11?" Of course He could! The answers may never be fully clear or understood when discussing tragedies, but as a Christian we know God has a plan and a purpose for everything. 9/11 was a warning to us Americans. Though we were united and indivisible at the time, the years that have passed should be a clear indicator that we didn't heed the warning. America will never be united until we stand up for what is true, right, and just. We will never be united until God takes His rightful place in this country.
Leviticus 26:17 states that the people who rebel against God will be defeated. This is the path. This is the trajectory of America. The Bible also says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that we are His (God's) people and if we are humble and pray and change our ways, THEN God will hear us, forgive us and heal our land. It sounds so simple, yet how many of us confront our sins and humble ourselves enough to ask God to forgive us?
Most of us think God is this mean judgmental God that is ready to strike his lightening bolt at us at the first sign of a sin. This isn't true. God is actually a God that looks at us, all of us regardless of what we have done, with mercy, love, and is always a call away. 9/11 is a sad fact that we need God. We needed Him in 2001 and we need Him more today. Don't be so consumed with the media, the stigmas, the hate, the division, the so-called "equal rights" of this person or that, that you don't see that God is right here waiting for us to be humble and call to Him. He loves you so much that He died for you (John 3:16). What greater love is there?! None. I hope you know how much you are loved.
We don't have to be who we were then and we certainly don't have to be who we are now. We can change our life right now, and then we can transform the world around us. All it takes is one step.
