Thoughts From My Heart

Several days have passed now since the news broke of Osama Bin Laden's death. I stared at my computer screen in unbelief. Could the man who had caused so much pain and death and had put a terror grip on so many been found? As a follower of Christ, I was happy to know that his reign of terror was over but saddened by the thought of knowing his eternal destiny. In his eyes, he was only acting on what he believed. We all have to make our own decision about Christ, and by bin Laden's actions, he never knew the one true God that I worship and serve. As an American, my thoughts drifted back to the morning of September 11th, when Randy and I were awakened by his Mom knocking on our door telling us that an airplane had hit the World Trade Center. As we watched the news in their trailer in Mexico, I tried calling my family back in Virginia. It took hours to finally get a call through. At that time, my brother lived fairly close to the Pentagon which was also hit. I will never forget the fear that I had when there were still planes unaccounted for. I will also never forget the helpless feeling that I had or, for once in my life, feeling that I may be safer outside of the United States. The horrible acts that were committed that day were acts of war against our country. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:." Verse 3 says, "A time to kill, and a time to heal,." The end of verse 8 says, "a time of war, and a time of peace." Everything happens according to God's plan. He has never been surprised. He knew what was going to happen on September 11 and he knew everything that would happen thereafter. Bin Laden took credit for "entrusting" 19 people with the mission. After such an atrocious act was committed on American soil and after receiving more threats of violence, I feel like the leaders of my country did what they believed was necessary to protect her citizens. Thoughts have gone through my mind of heroes of the Bible who carried out unthinkable plans to protect the Israelites. America has won a victory and it is time for her people to heal. Just because bin Laden is no longer a threat to us does not mean that all terrorist violence is over. As an American who has lived in several countries, I feel like I have a unique perspective on something else that happened after 9/11. I never realized until two years ago when we came to Thailand to visit that I had a fear of any person who appeared to be Muslim. I remember standing in line to board a plane and seeing many people around me who were different. I remember being afraid. After living on the Eastern side of the world now and being around so many people who are different, I have a new perspective. After it was announced who was responsbile for 9/11, I believe many Americans immediately had a fear (and some, hate) for ALL Muslims. People assume that just because part of a group of people act a certain way, that means they all do. Nothing could be farther from the truth! I believe that Satan used this (and is still using it) to his advantage (for many religions/people groups) to keep people away from them and keep them from sharing their faith. The majority of Muslims are just everyday, fun-loving people just like us. They need God as much as any other person does. Just because there are some radical groups does not mean that all Muslims are radical. Many Muslim people were just as upset as we were about what happened on 9/11. I have heard and seen it written that many Muslims knew that Americans would start to hate all Muslims. How sad that they could foresee our country's reaction to them! Sadder still is the fact that they were right. God wants us to love the sinner and hate the sin. I don't hate/dislike Mexicans just because some of them break the law and illegally go to the U.S. Neither do I think that all Mexicans are involved in drugs just because there is a major drug war in the country. I don't hate/dislike Germans just because of Adolf Hitler. I don't hate/dislike (or have a fear like before) for Muslims just because of Osama bin Laden. Anything or anyone that we don't understand makes us nervous. I have spent the last year learning more about Muslims and I can honestly say I believe they are some of the most misunderstood people. I can also honestly say now that I love Muslims. I wish that all people who truly want to be Christ-like would learn more about people they don't understand so that God can open their eyes and give them an understanding for those people and a love for them like He has. The Bible says in Matthew 22:39, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Do you love your neighbor?