September 11. The mere uttering of this date evokes somber faces, anger, and tears. Every year on the anniversary of this date there is a ceremony. A ceremony at which they read all the names of the people who lost their lives on that day. It shows on every channel we get in our house and goes on for hours (as I type it's been going on for almost two hours and they're only at the G's). And I can't help but wonder, is this really beneficial? Don't get me wrong, what happened on that day ten years ago was a national tragedy, a tragedy that left all Americans feeling unsafe in their own homes. And yet, they're still gone. No matter how many times we read their names and wish them back, they're still gone. I work with young children, children who are so young they have no recollection of life before 9/11/01. What does this mean to them? Not much, it's history to them. I have a friend whose birthday is tomorrow and I've often wondered, what was his 7th birthday like back in 2001. Did he really understand what was going on? Could he comprehend why no one was celebrating on his birthday?
These thoughts leave me feeling cold and heartless. This is my city, my neighbors, shouldn't I feel more patriotic? Shouldn't I watch this ceremony with tears streaming down my face? But I don't. The only thing about this ceremony that makes me want to cry is the terrible theology of the people reading the names. Hearing people tell their dead loved ones that they are praying for them, that 9/11 was fate, that maybe if It had been another day they wouldn't have died, asking them to help the family still on earth is what makes me want to weep. If these people only understood the grace of our great God.
And then I realize, they don't. They don't understand the grace of God . . . and chances are neither did their loved ones. And that makes me want to weep. Terrorists attacks are tragic, but far more tragic is the number of people who died not knowing my Savior. And so I understand why these people recite names. Maybe I would too if I didn't have faith in my awesome God. But as for me? I've moved on. On this day, I'm not going to spend hours mourning the lives lost. A few moments of respectful silence is all I need. On this day, I'm going to live for those who live with me. I'm going to hug, love, and care for the ones who actually need the hugs, love, and care. And I'm going to pray. But not for those who are already gone; I can't do anything for them. I'm going to pray for those whose lives are not yet lost, for those who still have a chance to learn of the love of my Savior.
Won't you join me?
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