Speechless... about so many things
So there are two things that are completely unrelated that keep running through my mind. So in an effort to give myself some peace and quiet in my head and heart, I am once again choosing to write it all out. Bear with me if it doesn't make sense and like I said the two are not related in any way.
The first is in regards to all of the latest news reports. You know what I'm talking about. The reports that Osama bin Laden has been killed and his body is in US custody. This has overtaken the news in the last 24 hours and I have already seen and heard too much about it. But its important to the world I guess. I have had a few conversations about it, read a lot of news articles and facebook statuses. All with completely different opinions, beliefs and statements made. It is overwhelming in every way. And I feel as though I am caught in the middle of it all even though I'm not. I feel like my thoughts, opinions, beliefs are hanging on a thin line between the two extremes. The two extremes are 1) everyone is rejoicing and praising God for his death and the fact that justice has been served and 2) everyone who is not rejoicing is judging those who are by pulling the "but he was a child of God and we can't rejoice in the fact that he is now eternally suffering in hell" card. And the people who are at either end are fighting with those on the other end. Now, I know what I believe. But I am far too scared to place myself in the middle or offend those I love that stand on either side. But to be honest I can see and understand both sides. Here's why.
I may not have known anyone who was killed on September 11, but I have an aunt who was in DC when the plane hit the Pentagon. I have friends who have since joined and been deployed by various branches of the military to fight in the war that September 11 started. I have watched and read the stories of the families affected by September 11. As well as the families of military men and women who have deployed and not come home. I have cried with them. I have prayed for them. And I can understand (or at least imagine) how important it is to them to know that the man who orchestrated the horrific attack has now been punished and killed for what he did. And I cannot blame them for rejoicing in this "victory."
But I also understand the side that the "Church" (and yes I placed it in quotes because I think the word church is often misused and misunderstood or used as a way of starting arguments... especially in this) is taking in saying that it's not right to rejoice in his death. Because, yes he was a man. He was created in the image of God. He was apart of the creation. He was precious in God's eyes. But here's the thing (and this is where I stand on the line between the two), he made his choice. He chose to follow a false god above and beyond the normal understanding. He was an extremist and many Muslims didn't even consider him to be a true Muslim. He was a man who murdered thousands of people. Many of them Americans (but don't forget that it wasn't just Americans in those buildings... there were people of all ethnicities that were killed that day and in the days since). And he made the choice to take such action because it was what he believed his god was asking of him. But the Bible clearly states that there is ONE GOD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God who sent His Son to save the world. And because bin Laden chose another god and a life of murder, hatred and racism (sorry for the harshness) he will be held accountable by THE God. And there's nothing the "Church" can do about it now. So, there's no sense in fighting with those who feel like they can finally move past September 11 because the man responsible is dead. There is no sense in becoming self-righteous and throwing out the Biblical ideas about mankind because it won't make much difference. And to some it will make them resent the "Church" even more.
So there's rant number one. I don't know if it really made sense. And I'm sorry if it didnt. I just felt like this is my blog, this is where I share my thoughts and so that's what I am doing.
The second thing that is on my mind and leaving me speechless is the amazing providing hand of God, my Lord, Savior and Master. I have been trying so hard not to lose faith or get my hopes up too high about the funds needed for my internship, where they would come from, when they would come in, if my plans would change. And I have been beyond blessed in the last two weeks. God has definitely been moving and providing for me. I am so blessed by those who have given and are praying. By my family. By my church. By the Church. As of today, and my math may be wrong because let's face it I haven't done real math in at least 5-6 years, I have been given or pledged 66% of my total budget needed for my 6 month internship in Trujillo, Peru. I am so excited to see how much that number has grown and in how little time it has been. I have been so scared and jumping to the question what if the funds don't come in. I had even started thinking about how I would shorten my trip and what that would do to the experience I would have. But I am beginning to believe once again that God is the great provider and my internship is happening now more than ever. I still have 34% to raise in a few short weeks. But I am confident that it'll come. And if not, God still has provided enough for me to go even if it's just a few months shorter than originally planned.
I am going to Trujillo, Peru and I can't wait!
The first is in regards to all of the latest news reports. You know what I'm talking about. The reports that Osama bin Laden has been killed and his body is in US custody. This has overtaken the news in the last 24 hours and I have already seen and heard too much about it. But its important to the world I guess. I have had a few conversations about it, read a lot of news articles and facebook statuses. All with completely different opinions, beliefs and statements made. It is overwhelming in every way. And I feel as though I am caught in the middle of it all even though I'm not. I feel like my thoughts, opinions, beliefs are hanging on a thin line between the two extremes. The two extremes are 1) everyone is rejoicing and praising God for his death and the fact that justice has been served and 2) everyone who is not rejoicing is judging those who are by pulling the "but he was a child of God and we can't rejoice in the fact that he is now eternally suffering in hell" card. And the people who are at either end are fighting with those on the other end. Now, I know what I believe. But I am far too scared to place myself in the middle or offend those I love that stand on either side. But to be honest I can see and understand both sides. Here's why.
I may not have known anyone who was killed on September 11, but I have an aunt who was in DC when the plane hit the Pentagon. I have friends who have since joined and been deployed by various branches of the military to fight in the war that September 11 started. I have watched and read the stories of the families affected by September 11. As well as the families of military men and women who have deployed and not come home. I have cried with them. I have prayed for them. And I can understand (or at least imagine) how important it is to them to know that the man who orchestrated the horrific attack has now been punished and killed for what he did. And I cannot blame them for rejoicing in this "victory."
But I also understand the side that the "Church" (and yes I placed it in quotes because I think the word church is often misused and misunderstood or used as a way of starting arguments... especially in this) is taking in saying that it's not right to rejoice in his death. Because, yes he was a man. He was created in the image of God. He was apart of the creation. He was precious in God's eyes. But here's the thing (and this is where I stand on the line between the two), he made his choice. He chose to follow a false god above and beyond the normal understanding. He was an extremist and many Muslims didn't even consider him to be a true Muslim. He was a man who murdered thousands of people. Many of them Americans (but don't forget that it wasn't just Americans in those buildings... there were people of all ethnicities that were killed that day and in the days since). And he made the choice to take such action because it was what he believed his god was asking of him. But the Bible clearly states that there is ONE GOD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God who sent His Son to save the world. And because bin Laden chose another god and a life of murder, hatred and racism (sorry for the harshness) he will be held accountable by THE God. And there's nothing the "Church" can do about it now. So, there's no sense in fighting with those who feel like they can finally move past September 11 because the man responsible is dead. There is no sense in becoming self-righteous and throwing out the Biblical ideas about mankind because it won't make much difference. And to some it will make them resent the "Church" even more.
So there's rant number one. I don't know if it really made sense. And I'm sorry if it didnt. I just felt like this is my blog, this is where I share my thoughts and so that's what I am doing.
The second thing that is on my mind and leaving me speechless is the amazing providing hand of God, my Lord, Savior and Master. I have been trying so hard not to lose faith or get my hopes up too high about the funds needed for my internship, where they would come from, when they would come in, if my plans would change. And I have been beyond blessed in the last two weeks. God has definitely been moving and providing for me. I am so blessed by those who have given and are praying. By my family. By my church. By the Church. As of today, and my math may be wrong because let's face it I haven't done real math in at least 5-6 years, I have been given or pledged 66% of my total budget needed for my 6 month internship in Trujillo, Peru. I am so excited to see how much that number has grown and in how little time it has been. I have been so scared and jumping to the question what if the funds don't come in. I had even started thinking about how I would shorten my trip and what that would do to the experience I would have. But I am beginning to believe once again that God is the great provider and my internship is happening now more than ever. I still have 34% to raise in a few short weeks. But I am confident that it'll come. And if not, God still has provided enough for me to go even if it's just a few months shorter than originally planned.
I am going to Trujillo, Peru and I can't wait!
I agree with you, Kiersten. It's possible to celebrate the defeat of an enemy who has caused great harm to our country and the world while not falling into hate or taking joy in the fact that his life is over and he, most likely, is headed for eternal torment.
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