Remembering...

9/11. This morning on the news there have been multiple stories about the attack on America eight years ago. As I was getting ready for the day listening to some of the dialog I heard a phrase that instantly captured my mind and heart; "Remembering brings unity."

I thought about watching the news with horror eight years ago and the unity that was instantly birthed in the midst of division. Emergency services from across the nation responded instinctively. People set aside what made them different and focused on what united them – tragedy. Who to blame was not on the plate yet, survival was. I remember how unity was born out of emergency.

This morning I'm wondering, "Why is remembering important to unity?"

Thoughts:

1. Remembering brings unity because it elevates what we have in common. The attack eight years ago wasn't about a race of people, or a church denomination . They didn't care about how much money people made or what their favorite food was. It was an attack against an identity, one we all shared.

2. Remembering brings unity because it results in investment. Even if it meant the highest investment of a life people ran to the need of other people. American's gave. People prayed. People engaged.

3. Remembering brings unity because it exposes the trivial. When the issue is life and death debates over opinions and tastes evaporate. The tragic event didn't bring political arguments until later. For a moment priorities were instantly adjusted.

4. Remembering brings unity because it gives us hope. Lessons were learned and changes made. If the first thought was "how can we help," the one soon after that was, "how can we be sure this doesn't happen tomorrow?" We quickly thought about being survivors and facing a new day.

Today we remember an event eight years ago. Sunday night we will remember one that happened two thousand years ago. Think about when Christians receive communion and look over the four points above again.

Luke 22:19 "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'"

Pastor Eric's sermon Sunday spoke of the importance of remembering. We had some great conversations throughout the week as he was preparing. He told me about God calling his people to "live" in Ezekiel. We discussed what it looks like to live the life that God intends for us. One conclusion He came to was it looks like "a life of remembering." You need to check out the podcast if you weren't at church on the 6^th, it'll be posted soon.

This Sunday the 13^th at 6:00 p.m. we will gather to remember. The service is not about songs, or preaching – it's about remembering. Today I remember the work of men bent on our destruction, Sunday night I remember a Man broken for my salvation. The men didn't succeed – the Man did.

Thoughtfully,

Pastor Dave