Can we do it?
This is not the post I had written for this week, but it is the message I feel called to share.
Like you, I have seen many news features on 9/11 this past week and numerous tributes to those who perished on September 11, 2001. Each night my local newscast shared stories of victims, heroes, and families still mourning their loss. I sat engrossed as several specials reported the history and aftermath of that fateful day. I braced myself at repeated views of the World Trade Center, rammed by planes used as weapons and the carnage which followed the collapse of the colossal towers. I cried with families as they wept for lost fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, siblings, friends, and coworkers. Tonight (September 12), I weep again as I watch 60 Minutes report on the New York Fire Department’s participation in 9/11 rescue efforts.
The United States was attacked by terrorists. Nearly 3,000 of our people killed. They perished because they were Americans (or residents of USA), casualties of a war for which we were not prepared. These victims and their families are heroes. We were reminded that those on Flight 93 became the first warriors to fight back, succeeding in preventing the terrorists from reaching their target by crashing in a Pennsylvania field. Of 750 New York firefighters on the scene of the World Trade Center, 343 made the ultimate sacrifice, killed as they were rescuing survivors from the Twin Towers. Each one of those brave firefighters freely chose to enter the deadly environment of the North and South Towers.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13)
Or in the case of these dedicated and heroic firefighters…
Greater love has no man or woman that they lay down their lives for strangers.
Twenty years later, the common threads I heard shared by survivors and their families were:
- We must never forget the sacrifices made by these victims and their families.
- We must do what we can to make our country and world a better place.
- We should be kind and pay the kindness forward.
- We should love one another.
Can we love one another?
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or a sister is still in darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. (1 John 2:9-11)
We are facing this darkness. There is much antagonism in our country. People are angry and are arguing about a multitude of issues. Those specific issues are not the point of my message. My question is–what is important? What are the issues that make a difference to our future–the health and well-being of all human-kind?
When we look back at the lives lost on 9/11 and we consider all the contributions those men and women would have made to our country–when we think of how anger and hatred not only threaten our well-being, but the very future of our country and world–do we ask ourselves…
How can I love my neighbor?
Can I love my neighbor even if they don’t agree with me?
How can I show love to those who need it most?
What can I do to make our country and world a better place for all people?
What am I willing to sacrifice to make a difference?
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:7-11)
Can we do it? Can we love those who don’t look like us, think like us, or believe just exactly as we do? Can we love as God calls us to love?
Jesus chose death that we might live. Does our every action reflect His gift of love?
Jesus calls us to hard things. And will all the dissension and bickering right now it’s a challenge we must take hold of!
I agree, Loretta. Jesus does call us to do the hard things. And he stays with us on that journey. We are so blessed to have His guidance and support through those tough challenges. Thank you for stopping by and adding your insight.
We can only show this love to others with the power of the Holy Spirit working through us. Our flesh can’t, but submission to the Lord puts our emotions on the back burner. Thank you, Katherine!
I agree, Barbara. if I didn’t have the Holy Spirit to help me overcome my selfishness, I’d never be able to put the needs of others first. I admit, it’s an ongoing battle! Thank you for your encouragement.
Love this post Ms. Katherine. I often wonder, “What is it that makes us want to be right more than kind? What makes us feel we have to vigorously defend what we believe rather than show grace and love one another by accepting our differences?” I think we both know that answer is pride; one of those ‘root sin’ as I call them. We (Americans) may not always agree on everything others say or believe, but if we all apply the godly values our nation was founded upon, and we keep God’s love (not mankind’s cheap imitation of it) in our hearts, we can always find that we have more in common than that which separates us. Well said ma’am. Thank you; and God’s blessings.
Speaking of “well said,” my friend, your response adds so much more to the message. Pride and self-centeredness are root sins. It is only through the love of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit that we are enabled to muzzle our voices and put aside our pride. It’s a challenge we face on a daily (hourly) basis. I’m so thankful our Savior is forgiving and faithfully reminds us to “do better” when pride, jealousy, self-righteousness, and those other root sins lift their ugly heads and show forth in our actions. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated.
Beautiful post against the backdrop of an horrific event reminding and challenging us to set aside ourselves in big and little things and choose love, kindness, and grace.
Thank you, Marilyn, for your encouragement and the reminder to strive for love, kindness, and grace in all our actions and interactions with other. Wishing you a day filled with joy and blessings.
As Christians, we must take the lead to love others without compromising our beliefs. Too many are waiting for our enemies to reach out in surrender. Ain’t gonna happen. We must tell the truth, in love, with a smile.
Spot on Katherine. Spot on.
Well said, Mark. “Tell the truth, in love, with a smile.” Yes, and then we must continue to love them, even if they disagree. Only then can we show the difference between love (as Jesus loved with grace, mercy, and LOVE) or shallow indifference (as the world “pretends” to love). Thank you, sir, for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Glad you tuned into God’s leading and shared this (“We interrupt our regularly scheduled post to bring you …” lol).
Yesterday, I watched a documentary detailing the events, air traffic control recordings, close-ups of the work of insidious evil. It reminded me I’d allowed myself to become emotionally removed from the news of 20 years ago and needed a poignant reminder. Love – that which is available and possible only through JESUS – is the only answer. Let us love as he loved us. Thanks, Katherine!
Like you, Mary, the march of time had helped blunt my memory of the horrors of September 11, 2001. Watching so many reports and two documentaries brought it all back, while providing new information I had been unaware of. Yes–you are right–only Jesus has the love we must emulate to help make a difference. He is the answer, but we must help spread the love and His message.
It clear now more than ever that loving one another is our call, our mission, and our healing balm. Thank you for the reminder Katherine.
I agree, Terri. This is a pivotal time in our country and world. So much depends on our relationships with others, and most especially, our connection with God. Thank you for joining in prayer.
One thing that struck me from your message is the common threads among the survivors and their families which you share. The very ones most likely to be angry and bitter send a message of love and gratitude.
This should be an example for us all.
That amazes me as well, Candyce. It would seem that the families of victims would be less forgiving and loving, but so many recognize that the only thing that can conquer hate is love. These families encourage me to be more loving and forgiving. I pray their example will encourage others, too.
With God’s help, Yes we can!
We love because He first loved us.
Yes, Ben. 1 John 4:19 (which you shared) was part of my daily reading and devotion time today. Verse 4:21 is another wonderful reminder: And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. That’s not something God just hopes we do–loving one another is essential if we love God and recognize the gift of salvation given by Jesus Christ.
The Church has the opportunity to show a different way. We can begin by loving one another within the Church. The world will recognize love it hasn’t seen before. Of course, we reach out in love. But if we only reach out and don’t love within, we won’t have any love to show.
I agree, Nancy, it is so important for Christians to show their love, both within the church and through outreach. We do great harm when we cannot get along with each other. The world sees that and asks, “How are you different?” We must show that we are different because we are children of God, not only to believers, but to everyone. That’s how we bring others to Christ. Thanks so much for sharing your insight.
Help me, Lord, to show kindness and love to those around me and to put the needs of others before my own.
Thank you for your prayer, LuAnn. I joined you in lifting that petition to our Father.
Thank you for sharing this. When faced with the actions of people I have to keep reminding myself I am called to love them. I may not like what they do, but I am to love them. Thank you for the reminder.
Sometimes I realize that I am one of those people that is hard to love. Sigh…Thankful that our Father is merciful and forgiving. Your point is right on target–we are called to love–there are no ifs, ands, or buts–we are called to love. Then we must recognize an even greater challenge–we are called to love as Jesus loves us. And we have His example of sacrifice. Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing your insight.
Such an important lesson from 9/11 — to love our neighbor! Thank you, Katherine, for always having such though-provoking posts that make me think more closely about my Christian walk and witness!
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Kathy. I’m glad my message was helpful. Seeing and hearing the stories of those who lost loved ones made this such an emotional experience for me as I prepared it. When we remember, we keep their legacy alive. Wishing you blessings, my friend.