Standing United

Yesterday was the thirteenth anniversary of that horrific day in our nation’s history. A day when the whole world watched, in real-time, as terrorists attacked our citizens on American soil. Many years prior was the attack on Pearl Harbor yet even most of those from the greatest generation who lived through it, still did not sit glued to their televisions watching the horror unfold before their eyes.

Their world was different. The news reports were heard on the radio. The images (though none less horrific) were protected by the limits of their own imagination. They did not see the men jumping from exploding ships in the shipyard to escape death. We could watch as fellow citizens jumped from the skyscraper – deciding to choose how their life would end rather than let fate decide.

Not only did we watch the horrors as they were happening, news organizations re-ran the footage around the clock. For days after the towers had fallen, we watched them fall again…and again. We saw the buildings collapse into a pile of rubble and stunned faces as they attempted to absorb the reality of what had taken place. Our hearts ached with the family members who searched for husbands, wives, children, moms, dads, siblings and friends. They posted pictures holding onto the hope that someone had seen them and that they are alive and well. The sorrow, outrage, and disbelief were fresh in our minds.

In some ways, some were forever changed that day. We were united against a common threat to our nation.

Then, as time passed, the images began to fade and we gradually drifted back into the complacency of 9/10/2001.

Too numerous to count, are the causes, coalitions, and advocacy groups that we have today. There is nothing inherently wrong with having a cause to rally behind. We all have our passions and our reasons for them. Some of the causes have changed things for the better. Some changes, however, worsen problems and have created new ones. Many of the ‘causes’ are deepening the divisions that are already present. The cause of freedom is the cause for which we should stay united.

Mark 3:22-26 22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.” 23 Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. 24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. 25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive. (VOICE)

Individual liberty is what makes America the land of opportunity. It is what makes us proud to be Americans.

It should not be the reason for our demise.