5 Ways We Should Remember 9/11

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1. With Humble Reflection

First, we should remind ourselves of our vulnerability and frailty, even as Americans. It’s easy to get proud as Americans. We live as privileged and prosperous as any civilization in history. We often forget that as we angle for more and complain about things we don’t have. We also need to be reminded (as we were on 9/11) that we’re not as invincible and great as we think we are. I’m hoping the anniversary of 9/11 is filled with humble reflection.

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2. With Mourning

Secondly, we should pause to pray for the families who lost loved ones on that fateful day. Even watching the towers fall on a TV screen from Chicago filled me with sorry and shock. I can’t imagine how the lives of so many ordinary people were forever disrupted after this attack. There are children who grew up without fathers and mothers. There are spouses with an empty spot in their beds. There are employees and employers who will be missed. Let’s pause and pray for them.

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3. With Unity

Third, we should work to promote the kind of unity we experienced on 9/11. I’ll never forget the image of the Congress standing on the steps of the Capitol building singing in unison “God Bless America.” That was such a powerful moment. I remember thinking that the politicians I had been convinced to hate – I no longer hated. There were no Republicans or Democrats. Only Americans. I know that partisanship is essential to our democracy – the free flow of ideas. In many ways, the enemies were attacking our ability to engage in this.

Still, I hope that on 9/11 we put aside our partisanship and feelings for the President and Congress and remember that we are Americans. Christians should lead in this. For one day, can we stop forwarding angry political emails and stop posting nasty stuff on Facebook? That would be nice. And if we continued it for a few more days, that would be okay, too.

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4. With Conviction

Fourth, we should remember that evil will always exist until Christ comes. America is the closest version of utopia that history has ever seen. And yet we’re not immune to evil. There will be no perfect kingdom until the King comes and establishes His rule over all the earth.

Every generation will have evil and sin, no matter how many of the bad guys we eliminate. The hope of the world is still always the gospel message, the liberating power of the cross of Christ. This should make us more fervent in our gospel preaching and in gospel living. Would that the tenth anniversary of 9/11 would motivate us to adopt the same love of people and nations that we felt on 9/11.

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5. With Gratitude

Fifth, we should be filled with gratitude for the leaders who have protected us. Politicians get a bad rap because they are easy targets. We like having them to beat up because it makes us feel better. But they are people who serve in a very difficult role. They have to govern over a sinful people. Let’s pray for them as they work hard to protect us. That’s no small task. And let’s thank the military and the intelligence personnel and all those who work hard on the front lines.

Editor’s Note: The following is an adapted version of How Should We Remember 9/11? By Daniel Darling. To read the full article, follow this link.

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