11th September, 2001 : The day that shook the World

 

An Unforgettable Day!

How could anyone in this generation forget the events of September 11, 2001?

 

It started out like any other day. Yet, it is a day that has come to stay in our living memory. As though watching a movie, the that has come to stay in our world witnessed a disaster so unique and so unimaginable that the lives of the thousands directly affected will NEVER be the same – and this to generations to come.

 

September 11 saw the face of New York City and the lives of its citizens transformed. It has never ceased to amaze me how anyone could be so bold as to deliberately drive a plane through a wall, much less into buildings occupied by fellow humans. Yet, this happened before the eyes of a watching world.

 

 

Like a joke, the first plane struck the first tower, then the next, then the Pentagon. What would you have done if you were in the plane with those who were told to say “goodbye” to their loved ones?

 

 No one would ever be able to comprehend the emotions of all those people in this particular plane.

 

Shattered Lives

All those affected by the events of September 11 had their plans. Imagine the sad case of the gentleman who was to be by his wife as she gave birth to their first baby. There were granddads and grand-mums, fathers and mothers; children and grandchildren, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters, friends and associates, who were affected by the disaster. Like many others, they all had plans for that day, the next day, week, month, year and so on. Some were looking forward to their wedding; some had planned their holiday of a lifetime. But they were not to be. Even those not directly affected by the disaster felt, and still feel its effect today. America, undoubtedly, has never been the same again. Every country has felt the impact of the events of September 11. Our travelling experiences have taken on a new form. Many now realise that a normal routine such as going to work, or flying on an airplane cannot be taken for granted anymore.

 

Questions and Priorities

The events of 11 September brought with it many questions. Some have never ceased to question “why?” If there is a God up there, how could He have allowed such a thing to happen? Some have used the events of that day to help them rethink what life is about. Many have used the lessons learnt from that incident to help them re-order their priorities, knowing that life is too short.

 

I’m not exactly sure what impact that incident has had in your life directly as an individual. Any of us could have been in one of those planes, or in any of the buildings that buildings that were affected. Many people made narrow escapes, and today regard themselves as “very lucky”.

 

My friend, luck has nothing to do with this at all. Those who escaped the disaster, including you reading this have been spared for one reason – to give you time to get right with God. The Bible, God’s word puts it this way:

Look here, you people who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to such and such a town, stay there a year, and open up a profitable business.” How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog—now you see it; soon it is gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we shall live and do this or that.” Otherwise you will be bragging about your own plans, and such self-confidence never pleases God.

(James 4: 13 – 17)

It also says in Heb 9: 27 that “it is destined that men die only once, and after that comes judgement.”

 

LIFE IS SHORT

My friend, life is too short. And yet it amazes me how many of us sacrifice the eternal for the temporal. Eternity is FOREVER.

 

Please permit me to ask, are you ready to face God if you should die now? It really doesn’t matter whether or not you believe in God. It doesn’t change anything. God still remains. Whatever you believe will not change the reality of God or of His judgement on those who reject Him. It would be highly regrettable for you to die and then suddenly realise that it’s true after all, that God does exist. Remember, death gives no notice. Some people get ill and anticipate death. For others, it happens suddenly, without notice, as it was on September 11.

 

God’s Plan for Salvation

My friend, this is a unique opportunity for you to give your life another thought. What are you living for right now? Have you made plans for eternity yet?

 

The Bible says “ For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”

(John 3:16)

 

Hell was not made for man, but for the devil and his fallen angels. Any person who ends up in hell does so by choice. Today is your opportunity to decide where you want to spend eternity – heaven or hell.

 

Just in case you’re asking yourself “what must I do to be saved, in order to escape the wrath of God?” It’s the simplest thing; believe me, as simple as A, B, C, D:

 

A – Admit you are a sinner; for the Bible says ‘ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God’ and that the wages of sin is DEATH’ (Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23). So, whether any one believes it or not, the Bible says all men are sinners.

 

B – Believe that Jesus paid the price for your sins. God made a Way for the salvation of every one through the death of Christ on the Cross; and there is no other way (John 3:16; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:1-12)

 

C – Confess your sins to God and ask Him to forgive you. The Bible says, ‘if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves …’ but if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1: 8-9; Isaiah 43:25)

 

D – Decide to make Him Lord (put Him in charge) of your life. Give up your evil ways and accept the new life that He gives. The Bible says “if anyone is in Christ, s(he) is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:14-17).

 

Nothing could be simpler. Or you can also say this simple prayer and believe it with all your heart:

               

“Dear Lord Jesus, I do realise that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. I thank you for taking the punishment for my sins. I’m sorry for every sin I’ve committed and ask you to forgive me. Wash me with your precious blood, and make me clean within. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. I gladly receive you as my Lord and Saviour”. Amen.

 

Congratulations! You have just made the most important decision in your life. You need to find yourself a good church and start to live for God.