A different world

I was thinking earlier this morning that on a Tuesday morning six years ago I awoke to a typical fall morning. I remember it was a nice fall day.

I also remember that on that morning evil revealed itself to our country and the world. Four planes. Four crashes. Thousands dead.

The morning of September 12, Americans woke up in a different world. For much of the world, this was the reality they had lived with for years. Ask a Palestinian, an Israeli, or citizens of dozens of other countries. But for those of us who live in the United States, September 11, 2001, will live forever in our memories.

There was another day that was even more deadly. The body count may not have been as large that day, but it was the beginning of a war that eclipses the war on terror. It has claimed millions of lives.

It is a war that rages on today.

It is the war declared on the children of God.

In a garden full of peace, beauty, and joy, evil reared its ugly face. On a day that was probably more beautiful than the morning of September 11, darkness cast its shadow.

We are still in this war today. Every day, the forces of darkness surround us. Sin, in its many forms, serves as a weapon to defeat us. Like planes crashing into skyscrapers, sin cuts into our heart and causes damage.

Unfortunately, many of us don't look at this as a war. Church is just an activity, a social gathering. Sin is something we hear about in sermons, but don't often seem to do much about. Sure, if it's something we don't like, we launch out against it. But if it's a sin we enjoy, then we often continue and keep it quiet.

I find it interesting that some of the most adamant critics of homosexuality are also habitual gossipers.

It's ironic that some who stand opposed to abortion won't give their time or money to minister to unwed mothers.

It can be frustrating when those who speak out against drugs will often continue in their own addictions.

I am not saying that any of us are perfect. I have my own share of struggles. But let's realize this is what it is. A war.

Wars are not easy. Wars demand sacrifice.

I think many of us have forgotten that in this current war. Unless we have a friend or family member serving overseas, we aren't really sacrificing much in the war on terror.

We aren't rationing sugar or gas. As a matter of fact, gas prices (although they seem high) aren't that bad considering we are in a war. If you want to know what kind of sacrifice a war demands, talk to my dad's generation.

Until we get serious about this war, we will continue to lose people. Statistics show that somewhere between 60% and 80% of American teenagers who grow up in church abandon their faith to some extent after graduation.

I wonder if we lose many of them because we are not serious about this war. Is it because we approach church as a hobby? Is it because we say one thing in the pew and live out a different life at home? Is it because they see a lack of faith in our lives?

We live in a different world. A world not only plagued by terrorism, but a world plagued by sin. If we are going to begin to win back territory for the Kingdom of God, it's time to get serious and get in the battle.

shine!
Jason