As we approach the anniversary of 9/11, I am reminded of not only that terrible day, but also the days, weeks, and months following. Almost immediately, Church attendance was at a high. Despite uncertainty surrounding air travel and the future because of the threat of terrorism, people made it a point to get to church. People were suddenly kinder to each other, more unified, and more interested in cooperation than ever before. It was a sense of camaraderie and helping out your neighbor.
Why don't we have that today? Why does society feel that we only need God when something goes terribly wrong? This is not just a National phenomenon, but we see this with local communities as well. Hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc. God is the same God today as he was on September 11, 2001. Why are we treating Him differently? On an individual level, we also do this. We turn to God when things get tough, yet when things are smooth… not so much. Why?
Well, turning to God when things get tough is normal. We are reminded of our inadequacy and reliance on Him. This is normal, and this is a good thing. In the Psalms, we see this often. David cries out to God in the midst of being overwhelmed by his enemies.
“O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah” Psalm 3:1-4 ESV But why, when all is well, do we as individuals, as communities, and as a country tend to forget about God as more than a cultural element?
The answer is actually quite simple.
Sin.
Ever since the garden of Eden, when Eve was tempted (Genesis, chapter 3) sin has questioned our need for submission to a holy God. Now, our sin natures cause us to default to this position. ( Romans 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.) The enemy is quick to jump on these times of calm to whisper in your ear, “See? You got this. Just be smart and you can handle life just fine. You’re an adult.” The reason he wants you to think this way is so that you squander the time of calm, and drift farther from the Father. That way, when hard times come, you have to come running back, fighting through doubt and fear. He doesn’t want you to rest in the Lord during this time. He wants you to try and do spiritual damage control, so you rush back to God, you pray, go to church, and read the Bible… until things get better… It’s similar to taking your vitamins when you are sick, and instead of sticking with them regularly, you take them just as long as the symptoms persist, and as soon as they are gone, you drop those supplements like a hot potato.
This back and forth game trains us to treat our relationship with God as only a safety net, a backup plan.
But instead, our relationship with God should be our foundation, and our plan A.
When He is, and these trials come, instead of running back to Him, we rest in Him every step of the way. The fear, uncertainty, and anxiety fade in light of His peace and joy. As a result, we can be more effective in being His instruments here on this earth, and if it’s a time of crisis, those around us are going to need Him more than ever.
Isaiah 26:3-4 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.