The past ten years have been an interesting journey. In this past decade, this nation has surely seen its ups and downs. September 11, 2011 will mark the 10th anniversary of that dreadful and terrible day. Where 2,981 individuals lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. I remember my parents and teachers always telling me how they remember exactly what they were doing and where they were the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Just as that day was etched into their minds, so has 9/11been etched into mine.
In the midst of the horror and devastation, in the midst of the pain and sorrow, there was something else that I will never forget and that was the way America looked right after those attacks. The American flag waved on almost every home in every neighborhood. There seemed to be no political divisional lines. It didn’t matter what religion or political party you associated with, it didn’t matter. And for the first time in almost 60 years, the United States was just that…UNITED.
In these last 10 years, unity has some what vanquished. Have you ever noticed that it usually takes some sort of tragedy to bring people together. I'm not just talking about a national level either, what about in your own community. Listen some of the greatest stories of inspiration have been when communities come together after a disaster. The nation is proof of that just after 9/11. New Orleans, Joplin, MO, Minot, ND; and the many communities who are affected by the flooding of Missouri River. It is amazing to watch people come together and help each other out. Have you ever thought of why?
I believe it is because in moments of dispair, we are in a sense showing our "Real" emotions and we feel vulnerable, but together that vulnerbility changes to strength.
Rewind the world clock about 2500 years. We find ourselves looking at Jerusalem, but this Jerusalem that we look at is not like the one that we read about during King David’s rule. During King David’s rule, the land of Israel and Judah was abundant, by the time David’s son, Solomon was King, Israel was considered the greatest nation in the region, even more powerful and richer than Egypt. Fast forward 500 years from David’s rule, we find the walls of Jerusalem in pieces of rubble, the temple is destroyed, and the city…nothing more than old abandoned meat processing plant, that was slowly crumbling to pieces.
Nehemiah enters the story by pursuing to "RE-Build" the cities walls. The story of Nehemiah and the Israelites is a story of overcoming the odds and coming together. But why can't we come together when things are going well? Maybe that is the challenge for us today and throughout this week. Let's build community amongst each other and see where that takes us.
Blessings,
Derek
