September 11, 2009

I used to journal often, prekids. How appropriate that I begin journaling again on this date 9.11. I did not realize what day it was until I began typing. I was just thinking about the events of 9.11 this morning before I got out of bed. I don't like seeing the pictures or thinking about the events that happened on that day. But I think it is important that remember and we never forget for many reasons. We need to remember. Here are my memories and what I have learned from the events of that day.
When that morning began no one knew what a tragic day it would turn out to be. I was working at CHS and Jerry Hollingsworth came out of his office to tell us his wife called to tell him a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. At that point we had no reason to believe it was anything other than a terrible accident. As the day unfolded, we would come to realize it was something much different. I came out an ARD meeting to find out a second plane had hit the second tower of the World Trade Center. Since the media was fully covering the first incident, the second plane crash was seen on live television. To see that scene played over and over (and even today when I see that scene) it brings back such emotion and unbelief. The day only got worse, with a plane crashing into the pentagon and then in a field in PA (whose intended target was believed to be the White House). In my lifetime I had only known about terrorist attacks via the media. Terrorist attacks were things that happened overseas, in other countries, but not here where I lived. I live in the United States of America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. I have been able to walk around without fear, never giving thought to such a possible attack by an enemy. But 9.11 changed all of that. I believe that NO ONE could have imagined or fathomed such a horrific attack. We were caught off guard, we were stunned, we were left standing speechless and afraid as we watched it all unfold. That day is seared in my mind forever.
The attack on 9.11 by an unseen enemy has made me think about our unseen enemy, satan. I spend a good amount of time focusing on God and studying His Word, but I must admit I do not spend much time thinking about my enemy and the possible ways he tries to attack me. I realize that I cannot possibly fathom how satan will chose to attack me nor do I want to ponder those things. But this I know is true, he is like a lion just waiting for the right time to devour me. He will unleash a series of unfathomable, inconceivable events when I least expect it in hopes that my faith will fail me and I will be enslaved in his clutches forever. He wants me, he wants my soul, he wants to rob me of my salvation. And the only person who can allow him to do all of this is me. If I am unprepared, if I fail to arm myself, WHEN it happens (because it will happen) I will find myself stunned, speechless, unable to fight back. I know that being prepared means KNOWING God's Word. His Word is living, active and sharper than a two-edged sword. It is my weapon. It is my armor. But being prepared also means I need to know my enemy. The United States would never consider going into battle without knowing as much as they possibly could about their enemy. The same is true about our enemy. I feel like I have been focusing on knowing God's Word but I have neglected knowing my enemy. I have not thought about him at all and that is just how satan wants it to be. For a time he is silent, he is quiet, he wants us to forget he is a threat. He wants us to get complacent, to become relaxed, to let our guard down, to go on auto pilot. And then one day we will walk into a series of 9.11 events. So now I am no longer ignoring my enemy. I want to know about him, how he works, what his tactics are, I want him to be real. I do not want to be a slave to fear. I have no reason to be truly fearful of him. He wants my soul, but I am safe in the arms of my SAVIOR, Jesus Christ and NOTHING can snatch me from his arms. My salvation is untouchable by satan as long as I trust in God and believe with all my heart that He will deliever me through every circumstance. With God nothing is impossible. He is all powerful. He has already defeated my enemy and in the end times God will bound him and throw him into the abyss forever. I no longer need to be a slave to fear. In this life when satan attacks I only need to cling to God's Word and remember His strength and power and Spirit are what protect me. My part is to DAILY put on the armor of God's Word so I will be prepared.
Though I would do not looking at pictures from that day. I do not like thinking about what happened. It is important to remember. 9.11 serves as a reminder to me that my struggle is not against flesh and blood. My struggle is against satan. As long as I am in this world I need to remember.

"10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Ephesians 6:10-18