Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” Psalm
133:1
Most wake this morning with some recollection of the tragic
event of September 11, 2001. Eleven
years ago today, most of us stopped and were glued to the unfolding events
happening right before our eyes. What
were the emotions that came forth on that day: fear, anger, surprise, sadness,
confusion and dare I say love. Love for
the families of those lost in the tragic events in New York, Pennsylvania and
Washington. Love for the fireman, policeman
and rescue workers who bravely took a stand and battled against all odds to
save as many as they could. We cried, we
questioned, we held those who meant the world to us, and called those family
members that lived far away, just to hear their voice and express our love for
them after realizing the precious commodity of time.On that day and for the weeks following 911, there was a common thread of love that spread around the globe. People from Australia, UK, Africa, China, Japan, Venezuela, Israel, Germany and so many other countries reached out to help those affected and hurting in America. This compassion rose up in individuals and leaders to support their fellow man with little or no knowledge of who they are. This blind love boiled up inside of them and they reacted with empathy and sympathy. People across the USA were also filled with love for one another. Strangers came together to pray together, hold hands, bond and support each other through the confusion. In spite of the tragic events that took place that day, the underlying love of one person to his/her brother or sister came forth and overcame the fear, sadness and fueled the passion to live stronger.
Since that day eleven years ago, I’m sad to say that we have allowed ourselves to slide back into the complacency that was vibrant on 9/10/2001. Where is that love, that compassion for your fellow man, that bond of help and support without care for recompense. Where is that urgency to get right with God, and the fear of the coming judgment day. Today we are more concerned over how many Facebook friends we have than we are over the fate of our neighbor suffering through a divorce or the death of a loved one. It took a tragedy to stimulate each of us to unconditionally love one another, and in just over a decade we have returned to our self absorbed life styles.
I ask each of you today to reflect on that day, and those that gave it all to help others. Then I ask you to reach inside and find that glimmer of hope and love for your fellow man and do something about it. Reach out to your neighbor rather than walk by. Take an extra moment or two and share your love and compassion with another today through simple actions and re-kindle that oneness that brought us all together. Finally, pray for our leaders and those that fight for our freedoms in this world. God has placed each of us on this earth at the same time to fight for righteousness and live with compassion and the heart of a servant. We are here to help and strengthen each other through hard times and rejoice together in good times. We are not designed to do this on our own, so use this anniversary as a stepping stone to redefine your contribution to this world. Then, get out there and do it.
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