September 11, 2019
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10
Yesterday my daughter, who is in 7th grade, brought home a questionnaire from her social studies teacher that she was supposed to use to interview her parents about September 11, 2001. It had questions like, “where were you when you heard the news?” and “what was the most shocking aspect of it all?” One question stumped me a little; “if you could talk to the people who lost their lives that day, what would you tell them?” Many things went through my mind until I realized it was a very simple question: What is the most important thing you could say to someone? When I thought of it this way, the answer was simple. I told my daughter to simply write. “I would tell them about Jesus.”
Today is a day that we have all vowed to remember. There are many things we remember: We remember those who lost their lives, we remember first responders that risked their lives to save others, and we remember to stay vigilant so this never happens again. One of the things we often remember on this day is that we are never promised tomorrow. Those who got on the plane or went to work that day had plans for the day, for the week, and for years to come. They never expected that would be their last day. So how should this truth affect us as Christians? The fact that there is no promise of tomorrow does not frighten me. I am already seated with Christ in eternity (Ephesians 2:6). But you know what does frighten me? The fact that those who don’t know Christ are not guaranteed one more day. If we truly reflect on the events of 9/11 and realize that in a moment we could be gone, then shouldn’t it be our priority to tell everyone the most important thing in the world? Shouldn’t it be our priority to tell them about Jesus? I cannot turn back time and share the Gospel with those who lost their lives on this day 18 years ago. But there are countless people in our lives right now that still have the opportunity to come to Jesus. Let’s make sure we share with them the only Name that brings salvation from sin and eternal life. Share Christ!
Mighty God and Loving Father, give us the passion and the power to proclaim Christ to all the lost and perishing people that we meet every day.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Shane Cannon
