Let every nation know

Posted by on September 11, 2008 under Uncategorized |

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
  –  John F. Kennedy

For about a year after September 11th, 2001 this quote was in my signature at the bottom of every  e-mail, regardless of who it went to - a friend, a customer, anyone.

 

As I sat in my car this morning talking to my wife, I lamented that so many have already forgotten, or pushed into the back of their minds, the events of this day.  The very real threat that exists in this world from those that hate America and what America has stood for - a country built on the principles of God’s Word (often called Judeo-Christian values).  A country that has been blessed, has prospered, and who’s citizens share that blessing with others in the world, more so than any other country.

Like everyone else, I remember exactly where I was 7 years ago as though it happened today, even if I can’t recall what I ate for lunch Monday.  I recall the odd feeling, simply trying to understand what was happening, “Why has ANOTHER plane flown into the building?”  The abrupt realization that we were like children, who’s innocence was suddenly broken, and our view of the world around us would never be the same.

I also recall where I was on another day, November 7th that same year.  I was working in Chicago.  That evening I was in my hotel room finishing some client notes from the day, with the CMA Awards show on the TV.  I stopped suddenly when Vince Gill announced that Alan Jackson, my favorite country singer, was coming on to perform a never heard before song.  He delivered the song in an appropriate way that only Mr. Jackson could, quite, humble, just him and his guitar (reminds me of my dad).  The words spoke to me, as they did to millions of others.

We have to watch out for complacency.  Certainly on this day, I think of the complacency that might make us think we are no longer vulnerable to attacks of this nature, that it won’t happen to ME.  But we must also be on constant guard for complacency in all areas of our lives, with ourselves, and how we direct the way we live… complacency in the attention we provide to our spouses, our children, our Faith.  They require our constant attention.  My dad once told me that life is a struggle, that you must battle every day against the wickedness of the flesh.  I know what he spoke of, and it comforted me to know that this man, my dad, the man that has earned my love and respect, above all other men that I have known in my life, confided in me that he too, we all, face this battle.  As my dad always does with such ease, he was speaking from God’s Word, where even one such as Paul struggled every day, and was not afraid to admit it.

I have struggled with complacency, and reflecting on this today I know that I must work each day going forward to lean on the power of the Holy Spirit within me to win this fight.  Sadly, I do not find myself complacent about worldly things, which are not important as they will pass away, but am too often complacent about the important things that live forever - my wife, my son, my church.  I must endeavor to stand on Gods Word, actively, everyday, to spend my full effort building Gods kingdom in my family, my church, and the world around me.  It is ironic that as I look to the past today to address my own complacency, God’s Word says that I must move forward by forgetting the past, and focusing on what I can do now, and in the future.  This is a blessing, being released from our past, our sins, which enables us to pursue the best that God has in store for us.  I don’t have to waste any more time with sadness over the past, but am freed to focus on the Hope of today, and the future.  But not to forget that it is work, and must be worked out everyday.

As I sat in my car this morning talking to my wife, I lamented that so many have already forgotten…
And as I spoke those words to my wife, I noticed the flag in front of our office building this morning - at half staff.   Not every one has forgotten…

Hope is not lost, when our Hope is in Christ Jesus.

References:
Romans 7:14-25
http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Rom+7%3A14-25&version1=51
Philippians 3:12-15
http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Philippians+3%3A12-15&version1=51
Ephesians 6:10-20
http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Ephesians+6%3A10-20&version1=51
http://www.cafonline.org/Default.aspx?page=12183
http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2003/001/14.14.html