Of those thousands of people that lost their lives on this day long ago no one knew they would never enjoy the love and fellowship of others. They would say their last goodbye to loved ones without realizing it would not happen again. The heroism displayed in Pennsylvania by what we call average citizens was remarkable. In contrast, the evil in the hearts of a few people resonates for decades later.
For some reason, God miraculously protected the lives of individuals in unexplainable ways. One person was walking down the hall in the Pentagon when the plane hit. Her direction was just short of reaching the intended office. The person survived. After the flames were extinguished in one area lay a Bible on a chair unscathed. Another person was not at work in one of the towers because it was her birthday. When the plane hit, it crashed into the side of the Pentagon that was being remodeled for a new use even though many were still killed.
The evil of that day demonstrates to all of us the terrible misuse of religion. The fanaticism of hyper nonsense can show us how grounded we must be in God and his Word to offset the words and teachings of others that would lead us astray. It also shows how that religion must not be considered a matter of self-works to gain God’s approval. Those terrorists truly believed they were doing God’s bidding in hatred toward America.
It was not just in New York or Washington DC where evil shouts out of the hearts of misguided men. Look to the horrible deeds of serial killers. Look to those who have been caged in prisons for the rest of their lives because they could not be trusted among the general population. See the results of anyone that gives their heart over to Satan.
In America, poor parenting, fatherless homes, even rebellious kids in less public ways could show incomprehensible results. We have strayed from the basics. We have lost our moral compass in many instances as a society. The world has allowed itself to become vulnerable to that which otherwise would not ever be considered. In the world community we never know what evil lurks in the hearts of a man or woman or even a child.
Our only hope is Jesus! Our only hope is to allow his Holy Spirit to offset what might be or what could affect so many others. Hell will be the eternal residence of those who reject Jesus. Fanaticism is not just living in the Middle East. It can be forever in people who are not grounded in the Truth of God. It will blossom forth from sin and pride and hatred.
This date is not a holiday! It is a day of remembrance for those who lost their lives and for those who were early responders attempting to save others and died in their efforts. It is a day for us to re-examine our own inclinations. It is a day for believers to put on the full armor of God. It is to realize a day when we might be called upon for the sake of another. It is for us to stand forth for Truth and Justice. It is for all of us to bind together and say, “ Never again!”
Christian Writer 