Never Forget
Never Forget
I see "Never Forget" everywhere today, and rightly so. I don't think I'll ever forget that day on September 11, 2001.
However, it is evident to me that we have forgotten in our nation. We have allowed ourselves to be lulled back into the same state of mind, if not worse, that we were in before those attacks. We have allowed our lives to, yet again, be consumed with pettiness (worst it's ever been in my lifetime), disregard for basic moral goodness and decency, and a lackadaisical/apathetic attitude about what is right and good. We don't hold those in power to their promises, we don't really mean it when we say we want change, we talk a good game but we fail to even show up for practice in our daily lives - all this clearly evident by our failure to learn from our mistakes and our propensity to elect the same people every election, just with different names. We are not awakened, we are not alive, we are not free from the ills that threaten the very fabric of who we are as a nation.
I remember on that day seeing fellow Americans care for one another, pull together despite differences and just be good decent people. I believe we are still this way as a whole, but only if we take the blinders off. When tragedy strikes, like it did 13 years ago on this day, the real "us" shines. Friends, let's not be the kind of people that it takes another tragedy to shine as the good people we know we can and should be.
The very best thing we can do, as Christians, is to simply be ourselves - that is, be a Christian. Being a Christian is more than just stating it. Being a Christian is more than just "going to church". Being a Christian is more than just identifying with a religion. Being a Christian is about following Christ, truly, without regard for what the world might say or do when we shine our light by reflecting Him in our life, our speech, our example.
How do we become people who truly "Never Forget"? It starts with never forgetting who we are, first and foremost, as children of God. We cannot compartmentalize our lives and only put on our "Christian" persona when it suits us and only when in the company of other "religious" folks; a Christian is who we are at all times, not just a name we wear.
So, on this day, I will join with those who say "Never Forget". Never forget the person you were when tragedy struck this nation. Never forget your mindset at the time and how everything you "thought" was important suddenly faded into the background as you hugged your loved ones tight. Never forget the goodness you showed to a perfect stranger. Never forget the humble prayers you prayed to God and the humility you had on that day. Never forget that truly being a Christian is the single best thing you could ever do for those around you, for your nation, for your descendants, for yourself. Never forget the Savior who died to make salvation available to all who will obey. Never forget who you are as a person and what matters most in this life. Never, ever, forget the lessons of that day.
Let today be a reminder to never again let it be a tragedy, such as we had on that awful day, that awakens you to doing what you know you must in order to get right with God and others. We can be that nation again, friends. Only, this time, let it be because we desire it to be so and not because we've been struck a mighty blow by violent and evil men. It starts with you, and it starts with me. Be a faithful servant of God, the One who gives us the tools and know-how to be righteous and holy and good decent people. God has given us His word, established for all time. Again, let it not take a tragedy before you open it up and search His eternal life-giving words to put into action in your life. Surely, if we don't learn the lessons learned in the pits of life and straighten our lives out before God, then when our life is ended it will truly be the greatest of all tragedies, only then it will be for eternity. Let this day serve as a reminder to be a holy and righteous servant of God, so that if death were to take you now you would be assured a home in heaven with Him.
Truly, "Never, Never Forget".
I see "Never Forget" everywhere today, and rightly so. I don't think I'll ever forget that day on September 11, 2001.
However, it is evident to me that we have forgotten in our nation. We have allowed ourselves to be lulled back into the same state of mind, if not worse, that we were in before those attacks. We have allowed our lives to, yet again, be consumed with pettiness (worst it's ever been in my lifetime), disregard for basic moral goodness and decency, and a lackadaisical/apathetic attitude about what is right and good. We don't hold those in power to their promises, we don't really mean it when we say we want change, we talk a good game but we fail to even show up for practice in our daily lives - all this clearly evident by our failure to learn from our mistakes and our propensity to elect the same people every election, just with different names. We are not awakened, we are not alive, we are not free from the ills that threaten the very fabric of who we are as a nation.
I remember on that day seeing fellow Americans care for one another, pull together despite differences and just be good decent people. I believe we are still this way as a whole, but only if we take the blinders off. When tragedy strikes, like it did 13 years ago on this day, the real "us" shines. Friends, let's not be the kind of people that it takes another tragedy to shine as the good people we know we can and should be.
The very best thing we can do, as Christians, is to simply be ourselves - that is, be a Christian. Being a Christian is more than just stating it. Being a Christian is more than just "going to church". Being a Christian is more than just identifying with a religion. Being a Christian is about following Christ, truly, without regard for what the world might say or do when we shine our light by reflecting Him in our life, our speech, our example.
How do we become people who truly "Never Forget"? It starts with never forgetting who we are, first and foremost, as children of God. We cannot compartmentalize our lives and only put on our "Christian" persona when it suits us and only when in the company of other "religious" folks; a Christian is who we are at all times, not just a name we wear.
So, on this day, I will join with those who say "Never Forget". Never forget the person you were when tragedy struck this nation. Never forget your mindset at the time and how everything you "thought" was important suddenly faded into the background as you hugged your loved ones tight. Never forget the goodness you showed to a perfect stranger. Never forget the humble prayers you prayed to God and the humility you had on that day. Never forget that truly being a Christian is the single best thing you could ever do for those around you, for your nation, for your descendants, for yourself. Never forget the Savior who died to make salvation available to all who will obey. Never forget who you are as a person and what matters most in this life. Never, ever, forget the lessons of that day.
Let today be a reminder to never again let it be a tragedy, such as we had on that awful day, that awakens you to doing what you know you must in order to get right with God and others. We can be that nation again, friends. Only, this time, let it be because we desire it to be so and not because we've been struck a mighty blow by violent and evil men. It starts with you, and it starts with me. Be a faithful servant of God, the One who gives us the tools and know-how to be righteous and holy and good decent people. God has given us His word, established for all time. Again, let it not take a tragedy before you open it up and search His eternal life-giving words to put into action in your life. Surely, if we don't learn the lessons learned in the pits of life and straighten our lives out before God, then when our life is ended it will truly be the greatest of all tragedies, only then it will be for eternity. Let this day serve as a reminder to be a holy and righteous servant of God, so that if death were to take you now you would be assured a home in heaven with Him.
Truly, "Never, Never Forget".
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