September 11, 2001 seems like just yesterday. American Airlines Flight 11 and United 175 were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and American Airlines Flight 77 was flown into the Pentagon by cowardly terrorists. United Airlines Flight 93 was forced down by heroic passengers into a field in Pennsylvania. As a former Marine and FBI agent, I was ready to respond wherever my country needed me. Americans everywhere united in a sense of anger, grief, patriotism, and so many other emotions. We all vowed that we would never forget.
I remember the earthquake in Northridge, California in 1994 that caused widespread damage and disrupted so much of daily life for several months as repairs were made to roads and bridges around the city. Commuting was already bad enough in Los Angeles, but it became a nightmare in the months to follow. We all vowed to be more prepared for earthquakes and other natural disasters.
It’s always natural to make promises or vows to be more prepared for the next big disaster in the immediate aftermath of that event. As time goes on, the sense of urgency often fades and life goes back to normal. The stash of emergency supplies either expires or gets used up and never replaced. We lull ourselves back into a sense of complacency and contentment until the next big thing shocks us back into reality. Then the cycle repeats itself.
We treat our spiritual lives the same way. We cry out to God in a time of need, but often neglect or ignore him when things are going well. We need to stay heaven and eternity-minded as we live our lives because we never know when he may return or call us home. Always be prepared! Don’t wait for the next 9-11 event.
Matthew 25:13 (AMP) - “Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].”