Every few weeks or so I will share something from Rebekah. I especially appreciated her words in the “Going Deeper” letter she sends out Wednesdays. Today being September 11 she spoke/wrote from her heart and I thought my readers would appreciate it too.

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. – 2 Corinthians 13:11

In love, and because of love – DEREK

Rebekah’s Letter:

Hello Dear People,

I have had 9/11 on my heart and mind these past few weeks. It’s been 23 years, and the horror and terror is stilI quite palpable. For a few short weeks, it didn’t matter what our political persuasion was, and we stopped calling each other names, and together combed through the destruction, and worked side-by-side in the rubble. It was as though we remembered what it was to be American. Politics were present… certainly. But humanity, real humanity, shone through.  

That first week, we watched the Twin Towers fall again-and-again trying to convince ourselves that the scenario was real. We watched and participated in prayer vigils, worship services, and memorial services. We grieved. We gave support without strings. We comforted one another. People came to church who had never set foot in a sanctuary, seeking solace. Some continued to come as the world continued to spin into our future. The scars remain.  

Since September 11, 2001, I have been privileged to walk beside some of the survivors of the attack: A fireman who made it out before the towers fell; A policeman who was on vacation in Florida and wasn’t able to find a way back to New York; A friend who was in a building nearby who lost 14 of her friends as she watched the towers fall. Moving to Florida did not give her a fresh start, and ultimately she tragically died, waiting for a new liver. Our church in Tampa wasn’t far from the military base, a.k.a. Centcom… Central Command. The church I served had a number of military personnel, and high brass officers who were involved in our country’s response. Their quiet involvement, and their prayers at Session meetings, and their faith and thoughtfulness in their actions did a great deal toward providing assurances and, yes, peace. I still pray for them. 

It wasn’t long before the twisted rhetoric re-appeared. Vengeance was expressed. Hate speech was rampant. There were screams for war, and scapegoats were sought. I remember a woman in the grocery store line saying to no one in particular, “Why do they hate America so much?” It’s a good question to always ask.

It disturbs me to my bones when, today, I hear Americans saying this about other Americans. We all know that a house divided cannot stand. Jesus said this in Matthew 12:25. “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” We seem to be working overtime to make it happen. We need to “STOP IT“.

Well… you all can fire me for being “political“. But no, I don’t think I am; I’m being a Christian. I do not understand the gospel “Christian Nationalism” aspires to. It’s no Gospel at all. It doesn’t seem to reflect the words of our Savior Jesus, the Christ, the Prince of Peace, the giver of abundant life, who taught us the JOY of our salvation, whose love for us is unbounded, whose forgiveness can set us free from our own brokenness. As hard as it may be, Jesus stressed (commanded) that we must “Love one another,” (John 13:34), and assured us that, “All things are possible to the one who believes,” (Mark 9:23).

I need to hush now. Thanks for letting me preach a little bit. I’ll see you in church on Sunday as we keep on keeping on, and I love you with the love of the Lord, and that’s pretty good love.

Peace, peace and more peace.

Rebekah