On the anniversary of 9/11 the nation pauses to remember the horrific events of that day when terror struck on US soil. But more than the terror, we remember the love of family members and friends. We remember the bravery and courage of first responders. We remember the countless medical personnel who worked around the clock to care for the injured. We remember the families of those who died and we weep with them in their loss.
There is a kind of memory that leads us to re-member – that is – to put back together that which has been broken. And there is much of that still to be done.
One of my common running routes takes me by the Cornelius Fire Department and the 9/11 Memorial that they erected several years ago. I decided the day it went up that when I ran by I would take off my running hat and would pray for the victims and the families as well as for the first responders and their families. That practice has helped me to re-member. It has connected me with 9/11 in a deeper way and it has given me a deeper appreciation for what families go through each and every day when tragedy strikes.
What I continue to realize is that humanity is capable of so much horror and so much good. God has given us a great deal of power, ability, and influence…and sometimes we misuse it in a way that harms, isolates, oppresses, demeans, or destroys. When we remember who we are as creations – as children – of a God who is good and loving – then we can remember our connection to all that is good and our connection to one another. We re-member the broken and begin to use our power to bring about healing, restoration, and reconciliation.
There is still much work to do. I pray that our memories of 9/11 and other tragedies of life will motivate us towards truly remembering – that is – restoring that which has been broken. That is our calling. I hope you will join me.
Soli Deo Gloria!