Author: Wick

You’ve probably received the e-mail by now, the one that reminds you to “fly your flag” in remembrance of September 11th, 2001. Honestly, we don’t have a flag or even a flag pole anywhere outside my house, and I’m okay with that. However I do find it unfortunate that, at least in the version I received, someone had written “Obama is trying to downplay this event!”. Making an obvious politically charged statement for selfish reasons in the midst of something that was probably started with good intentions.

Obama actually added to the “Patriot Day” by recommending a moment of silence at 8:46am this morning, on top of all the flags being at half-staff. (If you missed it, I’m sure it could still be an honorable endeavor…take a moment now.)

As Patriotic as we tend to get about this day, and the moment we remember on it, it can be easy to miss the larger picture. On September 11th, 2001 – we saw the brokenness of our world on a grand scale. What usually relegates itself to “getting mine” in the world, and driving like the road was made specifically for me, that day was manifested in something much larger. Some parts political, some parts religious zeal, man turned on fellow man, choosing for them that day would be their last. Innocent men, women, and children from all over the globe were killed.

As Christians, may we remember. But not remember as an isolated event, out of the ordinary, and impacting the United States of America. May we remember/have vision to see this as another symptom of a broken world that God has promised and has begun making new. An event that unites us in calling out to Christ, Come Lord Jesus, Come.

An event that calls us to yield control of whatever plane we may be threatening to crash to make a point. Calls us to put others before ourselves. Calls us to LOVE others in the name of God, not desire to overpower, control, or silence those who don’t believe with us. Calls us to be servants to a world who will take advantage of that.

I used to wonder/worry about simplifying the message of Jesus Christ into a phrase like “ask Jesus into your heart”.

I worried that my daughter might actually think that was it. That she would say those words, we’d throw a party, and she’d smile; having earned her Heaven badge. Added to it, is knowing that most church children’s ministries and even our “Christian” pre-school actually state that in their goals. They want to achieve getting my daughter to say those words, and will probably call me or send a card home at some point…or many points if they each do it individually…letting me know my daughter has become a “Christian”.

Why did I worry?

I think because I (confession time) stopped dancing with that metaphor myself. Not even “just” that metaphor, but many ways of speaking of Jesus Christ that seem like 5 year old speak. After all, I’m much older/more learned now. I can speak of Justification, Sanctification, and Resurrection Life, etc. etc. etc.

Perhaps what a lot of us need, and what Jesus emphasized in scripture if we’ll remind ourselves once in a while….is to use 5 year old speak. Not in simply speaking it. But speaking it/thinking of it as a 5 year old would. My daughter is only 3, and already is asking a thousand questions a day. The word “why” begins and ends every conversation. Nothing is understood, but everything is grappled with.

So when my daughter comes home with a note pinned to her shirt, or I get a phone call or a card in the mail that tells me my daughter has prayed to “ask Jesus into her heart”…..I will genuinely celebrate. Not because my daughter believes she has achieved any sort of badge or ticket into Heaven. But because she is participating in a conversation where her thousand “why’s” can find full and redeeming dances with God.