by: Jason Williams
September 11, 2001, a day we look back on with tears, sadness, resolve and with anger promising that WE WILL NEVER FORGET. But it seems to me that just a few short years later we have already forgotten. Oh, sure we remember the pictures, the speeches, the horror and where we were when the world stopped spinning, but it seems to me that we have forgotten maybe the most important thing for us to remember, and that is our first responders.
Without hesitation these brave men and women rushed in when others rushed out, many of them to never walk back out. These Americans represented what it is to be the best America has to offer, willingly laying down their lives and shedding their blood for you and me on that day.
How quickly have we forgotten! Today, these same men and women are giving their lives and their blood once again is being shed as our own citizens hunt them down and kill them. Those heroes who rushed into the twin towers are now having to run for their own lives as Americans, not terrorists, but Americans who espouse liberty for all are calling for their lives.
How did we forget so quickly? How did we get to here? In a day and age where we mock and insult these men and women, we scream at them, and swear at them and kill the same people who call when our house is on fire or our safety is at risk.
You see, the only thing that has changed is what we remember. They are the same heroes of 9/11. They will dodge your bullets and insults on the way to answer your call for help. They will rush in for you when everyone else is running away. They will give their lives and shed their blood to protect those who have forgotten that day.
So while others who have forgotten may protest and picket and yell things like, “HANDS UP DON’T SHOOT,” or believe that only certain lives matter, while others may mock and insult, we as Christians ought to lead our communities and our nation in simply saying, “Thank You. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.”
Let us always remember what Romans 13:1 and 6 says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” “For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.”
Jason Williams
Assistant Pastor
High Street Baptist Church
Columbus, OH