9/11 Remembered: A Christian Response to an American Crisis

[This was my first response to the tragedy of 9/11. At first, I felt that there might be a national revival because of so many people turning to God in the midst of the tragedy. Of course, such fear driven conversions rarely persist. But I thought it might shake up America's arrogance and help us re-evaluate our values. Unfortunately, we have become more arrogant and fear has actually caused many of our values to erode. The America I grew up in did not start wars (at least not openly), detain prisioners of war years after the war was declared over, and didn't condone, excuse or turn a blind eye to torture. Unfortunately, I'm afraid many Christians swept along with the cultural tides of our time have let this national paranoia erode many of their values as well. I think in remembering that tragic day we must mourn not only the dead, but the living legacy of 9/11 in terms of the fear and hatred it has spawned in the hearts of many of our citizens. This article is as relevant today as it was when it was published just a few days after the event.

A Christian Response to an American Crisis

There are events that happen that years later you will remember exactly where you were when you heard the news. For me, those events include the death of President Kennedy, the Lunar Landing, the Challenger disaster and last Tuesday, September 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center towers were leveled and the Pentagon Damaged by terrorists using fully loaded jet airliners as flying bombs.

The numbers themselves are staggering. The 110-story World Trade Towers brought down to a 5 story pile of rubble. Four or five other buildings nearby destroyed. Over 200 firefighters and police killed in rescue efforts. Nearly 200 persons killed at the Pentagon and close to 5000 lost in New York. 50,000 National Guard and Reservists called to active duty. Troops mobilizing around the world.

It's a frightening time. The question is how do we as Christians respond to this tragedy? Here are a few reflections in the shadow of this event.

Pray. The next few weeks are going to be difficult ones for everyone. As the days pass and bodies are recovered, hope will wane and vanish for the families and friends of the victims. Pray that God will be with them during this time of grief. Also pray for the world's leaders. Difficult, dangerous decisions must be made in the coming months which are going to require divine wisdom.

Manage Your Fear. Yes, these are scary times. We do need to take reasonable precautions, but we also need to continue to live our lives. Scripture says that He has not given us a "spirit of fear but of love and power and a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1.7) Fear brings one into bondage (Romans 8.15). Besides, God is our refuge and our strength. He will either keep us safe or take us home. Either way, we are in His hands. Fear steals your testimony. If people see you trembling in fear over the affairs of this life, you cannot point them to your source of hope. But if you are confident in the time of trouble then you have the opportunity to share why you can feel that way.

Continue in Love. Right now we are experiencing a lot of anger. The desire for revenge and retribution is strong. We also feel frustration in not knowing exactly who is responsible for these horrific attacks, how to apprehend them and how to bring them to justice. Consequently, many people are expressing that anger and frustration by venting it on people of Arabic descent. Just recently, at least two people have been killed simply because of this heritage. I have a number of Arabic students in my classes. It was nearly a week before they returned to class and they have been distant in their interactions with other students. We must not allow a righteous anger to turn into unfocused hatred. God loves your Arab neighbor just as much as He loves you. And by extending that Love to them at this difficult time, you may well be an instrument of God which can draw them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Redeem the Time. We have seen much talk of God and Prayer in the public arena in the past few days. Admittedly, much of it is window dressing. A tragedy is often followed by a public call to prayer or reference to God. But the magnitude of this particular tragedy has shaken people's confidence to a point that there is an opportunity for witnessing like never before.

We as a people have in the past century placed our trust in our economy and our military might. We have felt safe from upheavals often found in other countries because we are a wealthy nation with a strong military. The attack struck deep at both our centers of economic power and military might. We have seen that even the greatest, wealthiest, and most powerful country in the world is vulnerable to attack from a relatively small group of conspirators. So, if we can't trust in the power of this world, what can we trust? This is the question that many people are asking themselves now.

Of course, we have the answer. You can trust Jesus Christ. I was impressed that in much of the talk about prayer and God among our media and political leaders this past few days, I have heard nothing about Jesus. People are thinking about God, but not about salvation. We have a golden opportunity to lead them from that God consciousness to Christ Consciousness. Our message is simple. This world is unpredictable. Life is often tenuous. But there is hope. Jesus Christ came to this world, taught us how to live, then took upon himself our sin, died and rose again so that we might be made Children of God and given peace and comfort in times of trouble and the hope of an eternity with Him.

Perhaps today, you are one of those who are feeling anxious. You fear that which is coming on the earth. Perhaps you have been trusting in all the wrong things. Perhaps, you are looking for meaning in the midst of a senseless world. You have wanted to seek God in this time of trouble, but don't know how. You want peace, confidence and assurance that God really does have everything under control. You can have that peace today. Admit that you are a sinner, that you fall short of what you know God wants for your life. Turn away from that sin and ask Christ to come into your life, take control and give you that hope of eternal life. If you want you can pray this prayer right now.

"Dear Lord Jesus, I want to have your peace in my heart. I ask you to forgive me of my sins, to come into my heart and help me live a righteous life. I commit myself to you and promise to live for you. Thank you for coming into my life today. Amen"

If you prayed that prayer, you are now part of God's forever family. Your name has been written in His Book of Life, you have a home in heaven and a place in His family here on Earth. You need to connect with a good Bible Believing church.

Whatever your circumstance today, remember, no matter what happens GOD IS FAITHFUL! He will be with us during this time, and that comfort is one thing the terrorists cannot destroy.