Ten years ago today men, principled in a culture of anger, hostility, suffering and death, hijacked their religion, stole airplanes, flew them into buildings, and took the lives of hundreds and hundreds of innocent people. These men died for their cause. It was an act of faith for them, a sign to the world that all who did not think as they thought were worthy only of death and destruction.

Contrary to the thoughts of many the world didn’t change on September 11, 2001. It just revealed again the depth of perversity that can lead to despicable acts of man’s inhumanity to man. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us the reason humankind can act so inhumane. The prophet writes, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?”

Jesus came to change the human heart, to draw human beings into the very life of God. In HIM people learn to love, accept, and forgive. The people of Jesus are the salt and light of God in the world. We must not be about life the way those who do not believe in Jesus are about life.

We cannot judge anyone, either. This is not our job. Our job is to live and move and have our very lives in the life of Jesus. He defines who we are, how we live, and how we go about life.

On this day of remembrance do not judge. Remember, reflect, mourn, grieve, vent, pray. Dignify the lives and memories of the 2977 people who died that day. Determine, in your heart of hearts that, by the grace and mercy of God in your life, you will not be as those who do not know God. Turn the situation over to God again, and bring the redemptive heart of God into the human situation. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9).

Prayer for 9/11: God, help this planet. We do desperately need you. We do desperately need your love and mercy and grace. We don’t seem to catch on to the fact that we are loved by the God of the universe and that You are present to mend our broken lives and to set us on the road to true peace. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Amen