Today as I write this, our country will mark with somber
reflection, the 12th anniversary of the tragic and cowardly 9-11
terrorist attacks in New York, Washington DC, and Shanksville PA. If you are
like most people, you remember in vivid detail where you were when you heard or
saw the terrible news that a multiple planes had hit the World Trade Center in
New York and the Pentagon in DC. You remember those 44 brave passengers on
United Airlines flight 93 who overpowered the hijackers and crashed that plane
into a field rather than whatever target the terrorists had in mind. Literally
there are thousands of stories to be told and reflected upon from the events of
that awful day where life in America and how we travel by air changed forever. Those stories must be remembered and retold
lest we ever forget the cost of freedom, liberty and security for the nation we
love called the United States of America.
On days like today, it is appropriate to move a little slower,
take time to reflect, mourn the loss of life and say a prayer for the families
of those victims, for ourselves, our families and for our nation as a whole and
to thank God for our first responders and military personnel. We are battle
weary and worn from 12 years of fighting wars and battles on multiple fronts
against terrorists. With all the stress that 9-11 has added to our lives and
the financial impact on our economy where we’re scratching out a living,
everything costs way too much, and there is great concern on all fronts as to
what the future holds; it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger battle we’re
engaged in as Christians.
The “Bigger Battle” I’m referring to is for the souls of
men, women, boys and girls. Certainly, we are citizens of the greatest country
in the world with a duty to our country, but we as Christians need to be
reminded we’re passing through this life on the road to eternity and our
primary citizenship is in Heaven. We need to be reminded that the Lord Jesus
Christ is still the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and that in spite of 9-11,
God has not moved off His throne. We need to be reminded that the Gospel still
has the power to transform lives and is the power of God to salvation. Satan
would have us to believe there is a gag order upon us and we can’t speak about
Jesus. Satan is a liar who doesn’t want us to be about our Heavenly Father’s
business, living like Jesus who came to “seek
and to save that which was lost.”
Dear Christian brothers and sisters, today on 9-11, be
encouraged that the Bigger Battle has already been won and Jesus Christ has
declared victory over Satan and the forces of Hell. We were horrified 12 years
ago and still are at the evil and wickedness the human race is capable of carrying
out on their fellow man. Yet I want to encourage you as a Christian soldier,
you are God’s agent of blessing to the people around you in your circle of
influence. Every day, you have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives
of people you come into contact with because you have living within you God’s
Holy Spirit. As you go about your daily routine, the power of God pulses within
you with all the resources of Heaven available to you as you walk in the Spirit
and seek to honor the Lord. If you make yourself available to the Lord each
day, the Holy Spirit will give you many opportunities to shine brightly for
Jesus. As you let your light shine, people will be drawn to ask questions about
the hope and joy you have. The Apostle Peter encourages us of how to prepare
for those natural questions: “Sanctify
the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to
everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with
meekness and fear;” (1st Pet.3:15).
Tragic things happen in people’s lives every
day and yet God has placed believers here on earth as His carriers of hope and
blessing. When someone you know in your circle of influence is having a bad day
or tragedy strikes them, remember God has you connected to that person “for such
a time as this.” You are equipped with the power of Almighty God to simply introduce
them to your Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the aftermath of 9-11, I
know in my life and I’m certain in other believers, I think we were more
sensitive to minister to people around us who were hurting and in despair
because of the national tragedy. Today 12 years later there are still lots of
people out there that are hurting and in despair and are looking for hope.
At Ground Zero in New York, two
massive blue beacons illuminate the night sky as a vivid reminder of 9-11. Oh
dear Christian friends, you are great beacons of light for the Lord Jesus
Christ in a dark world. Let us continue to let our lights shine boldly for
Jesus so the world will be pointed to Him in the same way those beams in New
York point to the God of Heaven who is bigger than the evil of 9-11. Something
to reflect on and find encouragement in, from my little corner of the world to
yours…
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