The 912 Testimonies
The 912 testimonies
are about triumph over tragedy, hope over despair, and life over
death. They are the life stories of men and women who fought against
death and time, committing themselves to rescue others trapped in
great ruins and rubbles. After the tragic 911 terrorist attacks,
these people overcame their own fears, braved death, reaching out
with hearts courageous, compassions overflowing and hopes undefiled.
These rescue workers and heroes are in the midst of us everyday.
They could be you or me, and they could also be our family members,
relatives, friends or colleagues.
Everyday, in the
midst of our living spaces and neighbourhoods, there are some people
facing some 911 scenarios - the death of a loved one; a tragic car
accident; an advanced cancerous tumor growth; an incurable disease
such as AIDS; a case of suicide or homicide; a business or venture
failure; a school dropout; a drug overdose or addiction; an
encounter of sexual abuse, physical abuse or torture at home or in
school; etc.
These 911 events
have happened. We could not rewind the time machine, step into the
past, and stop these terrible events from happening! But we could
step into the future, face them bravely and respond with the right
attitudes and perspectives from God, reaching out in love, hope,
courage and compassion! What have happened had happened, what's next
is more important - our
response. How do we respond to what had already happened?
But we have
this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellence of the power
may be of God and not of us.
We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed;
we are perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed--
always carrying about in the body
the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
For we who live are always delivered to death
for Jesus' sake,
that the life of Jesus also may be manifested
in our mortal flesh.
So then death is working in us, but life in you.
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
We may be swarmed and surrounded by all sorts of
problems and troubles, but we are not crushed and defeated. We may
be at a loss of what to do when we don't know why things happen to
us as they do, but we will never give up and quit. The enemies of
our souls may attack us, but our God will never abandon us. We may
get knocked down, but we will get up again and keep going. Facing
even death, Christ living within us will keep us safe. Even death
loses its sting and victory. Even after death, there is the
resurrection of the dead!
So, how do we respond?
Firstly, we must turn and pray to God! Our world could be destroyed
by nuclear bombs, but not because of nuclear bombs! Who is the real
killer - the bombs or the ones who press the buttons or the
mastermind who instigates the mass destruction? Unless we look beyond our physical
eyes, we would see only the surfaces. We must look into the unseen,
the invisible forces and evil powers that seek to steal, kill and
destroy human lives!
For we do not
wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against principalities,
against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
We must pray
always, everywhere we go. We must daily put on the whole armor of
God, so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Praying that we will be strong in the Lord and powerful in His
might. Praying that we will live and move according to His Spirit
and will. Pleading on behalf of others, their plights, needs,
recoveries and victories! Interceding passionately and earnestly for
non-Christians and Christians, for both salvation and
sanctification.
Secondly, we must
willing to go to Ground Zero to minister to the needs of the needy.
It is herein that we encounter reality face to face. It is herein
that we connect our hearts with God’s heart! And God’s heart will
connect our hearts with others’ hearts! It is herein that we touch
heaven and change earth. It is herein that we help others by
bringing light into darkness, hope into despair, love into hate, joy
into sorrow, peace into war, praise into heaviness, righteousness
into unrighteousness, godliness into ungodliness, beauty for ashes,
freedom for the captives, sight for the blind, healing for the sick,
good tidings for the poor and deliverance for the oppressed!
If all of us begin
to do so, our world will become a wonderful world! Our little
efforts can be extremely powerful and significant. Small actions
that we do can have a big rippling effect. The 911 tragedy is caused
by a few individuals, but affecting the whole world. We are shocked
and terrified by those acts of terrorism! With one click of the
mouse, an evil hacker can release a virus that will destroy others'
computers all over the world within hours. Yet with a different
click, a godly person can release good news of love, joy, peace,
faith and hope into the cyberspace and touch hearts! Our simple
actions can impact not just our physical world but also the
spiritual world! Herein we must stand together in the LORD, mighty
in the power of His Holy Spirit, and shining victorious in Christ!
Our actions can be
as simple as ABC. For example, at work, we can go over to a
co-worker and give him a good and sincere compliment. That really
lifts up his spirit. When he returns home that day, he tells his
wife how much he loves her. And his wife is deeply touched. She
cooks a great dinner, and then says nice things to her children. Her
children are delighted, and they begin to spread their joy with
other kids the following day. And these kids in turn pass it on to
their parents! This is the wonder of one small action! If
all of us do our portion, the whole world will be changed!
Jesus gave us this
golden rule in Matthew 7:12:
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you,
do also to them,
for this is the Law and the Prophets.
God loved us and He
gave us His Son! And He is still giving His wonderful Gift of love.
Freely we have received, freely we will give. We must keep on
giving, forgiving, loving and living! Doing
unto others what we
want others to do unto us. When we see a person in need, we will
offer a helping hand. When we do so, we too will have a 912
testimony to share.
Written on:
4 January 2007