The sense of security that was lost is still palpable. Then came two seemingly endless wars, and economic crises that turned into, if not an actual depression, a national blue-funk and now a government that seems unable to function. I’d say things have changed.

But not everything. In fact, one could make a solid argument that nothing has really changed except for the cast of characters—nations, movements, cultures and information. The writer of Ecclesiastes says:
All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.  What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. (Ecc. 1:8-10).
Cycles of conflicts, wars, economic booms and busts, freedom, bondage and the rise and fall of powers is the human story. Christians believe something has happened that has actually interrupted and broken this cycle; something new and subversive to the whole process. The Kingdom of God has invaded. It made its landing in Bethlehem. It’s constitution spoken on a Galilean hillside. The decisive battle fought and won on a hill called calvary and an empty tomb. Starting at Pentecost, it has infiltrated the whole earth. It’s only a matter of time until it comes in its fulness. This genuinely changes everything. In the meantime, we live through the struggle and the fits and flailings of an unraveling world. Jesus said, “In the world, you have trouble. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world (John 16:33).”

So, remember that Tuesday ten years ago. Pray for the families of its victims and be thankful for its heroes. Let it remind you that, “This world in its present form is passing away (I Corinthians 7:31). Let it motivate you to answer hatred with love and forgiveness. And let God fill you with the hope of God’s Kingdom which has no end, where “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take upsword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore (Isaiah 2:4).

Peace,
Pastor Tom