9/11 Remembered and a Lesson for The Church

Today marks eight years since the towers fell, the Pentagon burned, and a field in Pennsylvania was the sight of heroism and tragedy. On that day and in the days that followed we were not Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, or even Greens. We were just Americans and we were hurting. The shared loss of life that day from an act of pure aggression and evil brought this country together like it has not been since the attack on Pearl Harbor. Through the tears of grief, the unity of spirit was amazing and beautiful to behold. I remember each detail of that day and those that followed with a clarity of memory that can only come from a great emotional connection. I can even tell you what color shirt I was wearing.

Through the months that followed, the nation turned to her traditional faith, the Church of Jesus Christ, for hope, comfort, and a sense of community. Attendance swelled from around thirty-five percent to over seventy. We prayed, we tried to teach, and we sang songs. We did everything we knew to do to try to bring that comfort and hope.

Unfortunately, those people found no comfort in our liturgies nor in our cliches. When they came seeking the reality of God, many did not find it. Not only did we lose all of our gains, but lost a large percentage of those who were already in our pews. Regular weekly attendance dropped from thirty-five percent of the population to less than thirty. I can't speak to all the failings, but I can say with utter conviction that we were not ready.

I have often thought about how things would have been different if we were spiritually prepared for this calamity. We are victims of our own prosperity and comfort. For far too long, the church has grown fat on the wealth and relative ease of life in the United States. We do not have the spiritual muscles that come from adversity and real trials. Many individuals do, but the church as a whole needs a spiritual exercise program. We are the chosen vessel for the only real source of hope in the world, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must be ready to express the full power of the love of God and bring the light of hope into hopeless and dark situations.

I fully expect another major disaster to strike this country. I do not know what form it will take, whether it be a terrorist attack, a natural disaster, or other tragedy we do not even expect. Before that happens, let's really start to build up our muscles with real discipline and obedience to the Spirit of the Living God. When the calamity comes, I hope and pray with all my might that we are ready.