Do you remember where you were on this morning 24 years ago?
Most Americans old enough to have a memory of 2001 definitely remember where they were when they heard about the planes flying into the World Trade Center towers and into the pentagon.
2,977 people died in those attacks. Countless more died from the effects of trying to rescue others that day or fighting in the ensuing war on terror.
Those of us who were adults also remember how unified we were as a nation after suffering these attacks. In my 50+ years living in the U.S.A., I don’t remember being more unified as Americans than we were just after September 11, 2001.
In many ways remembering those who died was best demonstrated by caring for each other.
Sadly, now 24 years later, I don’t remember a time we were more divided.
Tragically, yesterday a young conservative named Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in broad daylight in front of 3000 college students.
Just a few months ago progressive Minnesota politician Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were assassinated and Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot yet survived. Of course, last year President Trump survived two assassination attempts.
Both sides blame the other side for the state in which we find ourselves.
That’s human nature. That’s what most of us do. We like to blame others so we don’t have to take personal responsibility.
In the Scriptures, we see many examples of people of faith who reach out to ask God for forgiveness and for His intervention – even when they may not have been among those who turned away from God.
Daniel’s prayer is one of the best examples of this:
“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws….
Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame… because of our unfaithfulness to you. We and our leaders and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you.
Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant….
We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.””
– Daniel 9:4-19 NIV
It takes a tremendous level of humility to take personal responsibility for the sins of your nation.
For all those who follow Jesus, let me encourage you to avoid jumping into the blame game. Certainly we need to work out better laws and better security. All those things are incredibly important. At the same time, we constantly address the symptoms of what is happening in our broken world.
Our soul as a nation is sick. We need supernatural healing – the kind that only God can bring.
The prevalent division in families, co-workers, former friends, neighbors and the racism, classism, polarization, and even hatred for others can only be overcome through an internal change.
In my own life and the lives of so many people I love, I have seen angry, fearful, judgmental, and bitter people find peace, joy, and love through Jesus. When you connect with Jesus and experience forgiveness for your regrets, evil choices, shame, and mistakes, you see others with more grace than you did before.
If you are a follower of Jesus, let’s follow His example by laying down our lives, dying to ourselves, serving others, and bringing new life everywhere we go as His Spirit leads us.
Consider these words from the Scriptures…
“if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land”.
– 2 Chronicles 7:14
If you are an American, let’s remember those who died on this day, by rising above the rancor and vitriol. Let’s make space for those with whom we disagree. Let’s get back to a level of civility that is only possible when we put others before ourselves.