Never Forget

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1)

On September 11, 2001, we witnessed the worst and best of humanity. I prefer to remember not the evil committed that day, but the heroic acts of the FDNY, NYPD, and EMC to save others. Their bravery is a testament to the power of good over evil. It is also a vivid reminder that, as the Irish philosopher, Edmund Burke stated, “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.”

Thirteen years later, many seem to have forgotten the lessons of 9/11. They are pulling back from helping others to protect themselves in reaction to the fearful world events. Yet, now is the time in which we Christians can be most effective by faithfully reaching out and sharing God’s love with others. We have an incredible opportunity to glorify God as lights shining in the darkness!

Our lives are either expanding or shrinking. They are becoming more focused on God or ourselves. God is calling; “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” (Isaiah 6:8) The playwright George Bernard Shaw wrote, “This is true joy in life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one...”

In this tumultuous world, we have a great opportunity to encourage men to walk with God. Yet, no man is an island, and we all need to work together to further God’s Kingdom. “All gave some, some gave all” was the motto of those who turned the tragedy of 9/11 to triumph. Lets take advantage of these dark times to shine the light of the Gospel into men’s lives.

Arise and shine,

Steve