Daily Devotion
On the Edge of Security
By Karen Moore
Guest Writer
CBN.com
--It’s the anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Towers in New York City, the attack on the United States, and the attack on our sense of security and freedom. It’s the anniversary of wondering if we’ll ever feel completely safe, completely free again.
A host of dignitaries will speak at the Ground Zero site where the towers once stood. The families of nearly 3,000 innocent Americans will hear the names of their loved ones read at the museum set up to honor their lives. Poems and appropriate literary quotes on hope and peace and honor will be shared. Though it’s been many years since the incident, our hearts are still pulled apart with the conflict we feel over such an event ever taking place on American soil.
For those of us who travel, the “security” rituals at airports remind us every time of the 9/11 story. We’re reminded that no matter how hopeful we are about the meeting we’re going to attend in another city, or the graduation ceremony of our grandchild, or the chance to meet with friends on a vacation that we are not totally independent, not totally free as we once may have felt. Security is always just a bit in question. Security comes with a price.
Perhaps that’s where faith sustains us and gives us the best answers, the most strategic way to think about traveling or even about living in the world today. In fact, it’s difficult to imagine what it might be like to live in this world without faith, without any sense of security, the kind that comes through a spirit within us connected to the only Living Spirit of the universe. God is not away. God is not blind to what is going on here on Earth. God is actively engaging His people to keep standing firm, to keep speaking up, to keep being His eyes and ears, His voice and His Light.
If you’ve ever wondered what it means to be the “light,” to shine as much as possible for your Creator, your time has come. You hold the answers in your hand for many people who still walk blindly about, totally unaware of where real security is. You are the antidote, the one who can create the balance in a world that feels heavy and oppressed. You were created to be here for this very time and for this very purpose. As we read in Exodus 9:16,
“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” (NIV)
When you think about the families affected by the incredible horror of 9/11, and there can’t be too many families that weren’t, then it becomes incumbent on those with a 24/7 God to keep shining His light and declaring His stand. We reach out in love, not because we’re such great people on our own, but because He is a great God and the only security blanket that has ever existed.
If 9/11 served to put us back on our knees, to strive with more focused ears to listen to our Creator than it becomes a moment of glory, a moment where innocent people did not sacrifice their lives in vain. If it means we who witness the criminal acts of others in the world, do more intentional praying, strengthening our beliefs and turning up the light, then it does serve a purpose.
François Fénelon said this about listening to God. “God is our true Friend, who always gives us the counsel and comfort we need. Our danger lies in resisting Him; so it is essential that we acquire the habit of hearkening to His voice, or keeping silence within, and listening so as to lose nothing of what He says to us. We know well enough how to keep outward silence, and to hush our spoken words, but we know little of interior silence. It consists in hushing our idle, restless, wandering imagination, in quieting the promptings of our worldly minds, and in suppressing the crowd of unprofitable thoughts which excite and disturb the soul.”
The fact is that the anniversary of 9/11 will excite our thoughts one way or another. It will give rise to anger or sadness or remind us of the reality that the world is often haywire, somewhat out of control. It can also remind us to fasten our seatbelts and hold on even more relentlessly to the One who really is in control, to shine His light in even greater measure and to thank Him that we still live in a place where we have the freedom to speak His name wherever we are and to be His people in every sense of the word. As we’re reminded in Romans 13:12:
“Let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
Honor Him with your gifts and shine your light today for the whole world to see.
©2011 Karen Moore, used with permission.
Literary Quote from p. 615 of The Encyclopedia of Christian Quotations from Baker Books.
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Karen Moore has published over 50 books, some for children, several inspirational and Devotion and one as a greeting card professional. She’s served as a keynote speaker at writing conferences, a trainer for writers, and a mentor for authors and other aspiring artists.
Karen has a Master’s Degree in Education and has taught both in grade schools and in colleges. She’s held positions as a Sr. Managing Editor, a Creative Director, an Editorial Director and a Publisher of children’s books and trade books and Bibles. She has helped develop numerous licensed properties from Care Bears to her own Holy Cows.
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