Sharing Our Stories (In memory of the Tenth Anniversary of 9-11-01)

         I want to share with you a little known story about the book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament. Jeremiah had a devoted friend and secretary named Baruch ben Neriah, who faithfully recorded the prophet’s words and prophecies. One of my favorite stories from Jeremiah comes when Baruch is commanded by Jeremiah to go to the temple and read the prophecies, because Jeremiah cannot perform this duty due to the wrath of the king. Baruch does so without question or fear.

            You might be wondering what in the world does this have to do with the context in which our world is turning this weekend.  Granted, many columnists, pundits, and all of the media will be turning their eyes to the past and Ground Zero as we remember the horrible events of September, 11^th, 2001. I want to propose a question this day that seeks to look to the future of humanity in a post 9-11 world.

            Where will we as a society be fifty years from now? Will we still be searching for answers to our questions surrounding the fateful day of September 11^th? Will we still be consumed with anger and fear as we approach a century from now when most of us will be long gone? Where will we be? I ask these questions, for they are questions that deserve answers.

            You see I believe in the God of redemption, a God that can redeem even the most horrifying event, the crucifixion. A God whose heart hurt not only on September 11^th, but still today as genocide rages, and people are still hungry. I believe in the God of the ages, who has stood the test of time.

            There’s a wonderful hymn that goes like this, “God of love, and God of power, thou has called us for this hour” we have been called by God to be witnesses to the redemption, witnesses to the newness of grace. The best thing we as people of faith can do this weekend is be like Baruch and share our stories.  Stories of that day, not of terror, but of that hope which came from the rubble, we should not be afraid of the consequences and what our stories mean to others. We should be hopeful in the potential our stories have to change the course of time. You see Baruch wasn’t afraid of the story, we shouldn’t be either; the context of our faith is that we are called to be storytellers of the Gospel of our lives. We are to share the Gospel through our actions, and our stories.

            September 11^th, 2001 will never be forgotten, and rightfully so. Our stories will continue, until they are woven into the great chain of time. Then, when our story is complete. We will see the redemption of our stories. We will see the redemption of the horror caused that day. Then, in God’s almighty power, there will be peace.