Indelible Markers

Marks that cannot be removed.  Marks that cannot be forgotten.  Indelible.

That’s what 9/11 — September 11 — is for me, Lord.  Perhaps for all of us who were alive That Day fifteen years ago.  Alive and touched in ways that cannot be untouched.

That Day when our nation was attacked as never before.  When the Twin Towers fell.  When the Pentagon burned.  When another flying bomb came to rest in a field instead of, perhaps, in the U.S. Capitol building.

That Day of unmatched horror… and Heroism.

I was surprised this morning by how quickly the tears came to the surface when I set my mind on remembering.  Tears of shock.  Tears of disbelief.  Tears of profound loss.  Even tears of Hope.

Yes… Hope.  Not because of the passion to rebuild and the rebuilding that has happened since. As if that rebuilding would be a sure and tangible sign of our indomitable American (and human) spirit.

Perhaps more than anything, Hope sprang forth (for me) when That Day reminded me of how fragile Life is… and how vulnerable I am.  How utterly dependent I am on You, Lord.  Because, apart from You, there is no other security that can hold fast when evil comes like a tsunami.

But with You — and only You — is Peace… and, ultimately, Victory.

“I have told you these things so that, in Me, you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

I hadn’t expected this day to become such an opportunity to… Remember My Past.  Reflect on My Present. Redirect My Future.

A personal day of Reckoning.  A time for Processing.  Estimating the worth of new growth that’s possible… even still. Calculating the cost of staying the same.

It’s far-too-easy for me to get lost in the distractions of Life, Lord.  And here You are… inviting me to refocus.  And offering to help me.

You deserve no less from me, Lord.  Because You know all about Indelible Markers.  You marked me with red.  The color of Hope… Courage… Forgiveness and Faithfulness.  The color of Forever.

“God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)

The only truly Indelible Marker!

“They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb… and He who sits on the throne will shelter them with His presence.  Never again will they hunger, never again will they thirst… For the Lamb… will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to springs of Living Water.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”  (Revelation 7:14-17)

Take me deeper today, Lord.  Deeper than I could (or would) wander on my own.  So my faith and faithfulness may be made stronger in Your Presence.

“… since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…”  (Hebrews 12:28)

Longingly…

Lovingly…

Abba’s Girl

 

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