Sermon Sampler: November 20, 2005

It’s not about who they are. It’s about who we are.

[W]hether we love or not has very little to do with the person we’re loving. That’s easier to understand when you turn it around – whether or not someone loves you has very little to do with you. We all understand this inherently; it’s impossible to cause someone to love you if they don’t. Whether they love or don’t love has to do with who they are, with what’s inside of them.

All this was driven home hard for me the morning of September 11. I had watched the towers fall, seen the destruction unfold live on TV, felt my stomach clench in a knot as I watched in horrified wonder. And then I retreated to my room; sat on my bed; and prayed.

I began, of course, in prayer for those who had died, for those who had lost someone, for those whose lives were in danger at this very moment, and for those who would not want to continue living after this moment. But as I prayed, a very strange thing happened to me – a thing I can’t explain. I became aware that I must also pray for the very people who had caused such terrible pain today. It revolted me. “Love your enemies!” Jesus commanded me. “Pray for those who persecute you!” If ever I’ve felt as though he were speaking directly to my heart, it was in that instant.

I was convicted.

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