Emotions, 10 Lessons, & New War on Terror

I said I wouldn’t blog or even comment today….a day where people’s emotions are running high and there is a sense of pride in the air…the unwavering kind. But, like any stubborn, passionate person like myself, I just can not resist…so here you go….

Upon opening my computer, I was amazed at some of the messages being spread…nationalism, patriotism, militarism, pride….. And something inside me cringed, as it has every year for the past ten years on this date.

Now, let me say, I do find what happened on 9 11 a tragedy…it was a day of destruction and families being torn apart.

BUT….

How different was 9 11 from any other day? On any other given day, bombs go off in other countries killing innocent people, wars rage on leaving destruction in their path (some of which this country is guilty of), violent crimes occur…and maybe more important is the passive devastation of human life….for instance, the 26,000 people who will die of hunger today.

So why does this particular day of injustice stand out so much? Is it the day that people in this country realized that the US is not sacred holy ground immune to tragedy…that we finally gained an understanding of what others around the world deal with?

I mean none of this in disrespect to those families who lost loved ones that day, but simply want to challenge everyone to think differently…

Tragedy and destruction happen every.single.day. But, violent acts never justify more violence, countries ideals are not changed with force (what if our resources to help community development was equal to even a fraction of our military and defense??), and most importantly, Jesus calls us to the path of forgiveness and loving all our neighbors…

So what will you do with the emotion of the injustice of 9 11? I hope not leave it tied to this day or nationalism or defensiveness, but keep it with you and find a good use for it. Let that compassion for the families of 9 11 become compassion for others in the world….to start seeing all the tragedy, destruction, and pain and find a way to use that passion to help overcome pain and injustice in the world, everyday….and not forget.

 

Here are a couple blogs worth the read today:

http://homebrewedtheology.com/i-wasnt-going-to-do-a-911-post.php

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thepangeablog/2011/09/08/the-new-war-on-terror-911-jesus/

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