9/11 – We have drifted as a Church4 minute read

11. September 2021 Church, Personal Opinion, Personal Storys 0
9/11 – We have drifted as a Church<span class="wtr-time-wrap block after-title"><span class="wtr-time-number">4</span> minute read</span>

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Today marks 20 years since that day. since that day. A day that started off like any other day. Men and women continuing the daily rat race while the children filled the schools. Not knowing what the day might hold. 

 

Some were excited about the opportunities ahead of them. Others, still recovering from their Monday blues, were once again counting down the days until the weekend. Just another American day. Just another American dream.

 

Little did we know, the world would STOP before most of us finished our morning coffee. At 8:46 am, on the east coast, we saw a devastating plane crash. One that went right into our World Trade Center. We didn’t dream that it was an attack. And little did we know, there was another on the way.

 

And just like that, thousands of New Yorkers’ lives were changed forever. But at that moment, they weren’t thinking about the rest of their lives. In what, I am sure, seemed like an eternity, there were countless lives being saved and lost from the rubble and destruction facing the streets of Manhatten.  

 

For the rest of us, all we could do was watch through the TV and pray for those in the crosshairs. As if we were watching a movie, our eyes, glued to the TV and our ears, collecting every word that came from it. Even children, not understanding what was happening, knew this was bad. You could feel the quietness of the nation come over you like a blanket.

 

In a flash, Americans’ lives were changed forever. We saw average people, putting their life on the line for the person next to them. Coming together, from all backgrounds. Seeing each other as fellow Americans. Not seeing the color of their skin, or caring about their political affiliation. All we saw were Americans in need.

 

But one thing I remember the most are the days and weeks that followed. The realization that we are not promised tomorrow stuck with us all as we filled the pews of churches all across the country. This hard hit of reality showed us we needed a Saviour. Or at the very least, made us seek out this God our country was built around.

 

I recall video clips and pictures of churches overflowing in just about every service. The news was talking about God and reflecting on our Christian foundations. Families praying and seeking God’s guidance was the new normal.

 

Oh, my. We have slipped so far away from that time. We no longer feel that need to seek God as a nation. We no longer even feel we need God. And, dare I say, most of us don’t even want God. 

 

It breaks my heart to see how far apart we have grown as Americans in just the last 20 years. Back to our old selves. Defining ourselves through color, politics, and wealth. We are no longer Americans. We are simply different types of people living within the same borders. Looking out for ourselves, and scared of our neighbors. Fearing what we can’t see. Worrying about things we can’t control. 

 

Oh, how I wish we returned to those following 9/11. Where we had each other’s back and we trusted the one triune God with our next step. I long for the days our churches are full again. Not because of the entertainment or the motivational speeches. But because we wanted to hear the truth. We wanted to be ready for when our time came to face our maker. 

 

Let’s not forget what that day, 20 years ago, did for us. While in the wake of tragedy, we managed to come together, put aside our differences, and do what was right. We sought truth and put others before ourselves. We were a Christian nation again. Whether you agree with that or not, that is what I saw.

 

Let’s get back to seeking the God of the Bible. Let us not wait for another tragedy to strike to get back on track. We ought not only fill the pews in a time of need.  

2 Corinthians 6:1‭-‬2 KJV

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, And in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Husband | Father | IT Guy | Blogger | Author and Creator of ChristianIntrovert.com wanting to encourage those who question their abilities in Christ. Don't let your Introversion define who you are and don't use it as an excuse to shut yourself out from the world.