I will never, NEVER forget that early morning on September 11, 2001. I will never forget the faces of my future students when they heard the news, as they silently watched the tvs in each classroom, as I saw tears streaming down their faces, as I saw frantic military parents signing out their children because they were connected, somehow, to the Twin Towers falling. I will never forget how Americans bonded together in that moment. I will never forget how it has affected my friends who have husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, daughters, wives, mothers who have been fighting to make sure this doesn't happen again. Hearing about Osama Bin Laden's death, though, gave me conflicted feelings. I am, without a doubt, relieved to hear the man who has orchestrated so much destruction and pain will no longer be able to do so. I am proud of the continuing effort the American soldiers and their Allies have worked to establish peace and a new order overseas.
What I can't do, though, is celebrate the death of someone who may, at this moment, be suffering in Hell. Last night I saw in to the hearts of so many people who call themselves Christians. It is human nature to rejoice in the pain of someone who has caused you pain, but it is not Christian nature. I could not get over how many people said they were GLAD Osama was burning in Hell. Wow. And no wonder those who aren't Christians don't want to seek Jesus. When the people who call themselves after His name rejoice at the downfall of another person, how does that make them any more different than the rest of the world? I am reminded of the scripture in Proverbs 24: 17-18, "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him." After much reflection, I decided my stance on this, if I even have a right to have a stance, is to pray for those who are affected by Osama's death. Pray that Christians will continue to seek God and His purpose; Pray that the followers of Osama do not seek revenge and, in fact, find Jesus; Pray that civilians in America continue to stay watchful; Pray that civilians in the Middle East also continue to stay watchful; Pray that the world leaders will continue to seek peace; and Pray for our soldiers who fight every day so we can have peace.
I do not want to be like the world, for this is not my home. I know that God has a purpose for my life, and I know that when my time comes, there will be rejoicing in my death. For I will finally be at peace with my Father and in the presence of the Almighty.
Only then is it acceptable for Christians to rejoice in another's death.
Thank you for sharing, Jana. Thank you for speaking words I can not speak (military members are limited in their public expression of freedom of speech, especially about military issues). I can't imagine the even greater relief we will feel when the REAL mastermind of all evil (Satan) is defeated and buried in a sea of fire!
ReplyDeleteNicely put! Agree whole heatedly.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I am highly disturbed by the (not so) Christian response to this. We need to remember that vengeance belongs to the Lord. He may use us for His plan, but it is not our place to rejoice when someone goes to hell. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteIt was weird to see all the so called "Christians" rooting for him to be in Hell. Although I am not a Christian myself, I enjoyed reading your blog. :)
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