Composure

Today is a day for remembering.

Nineteen years ago I was in my study. Caryn called from the office, “Are you watching the news?”

I saw the second plane fly into the World Trade Towers. As Peter Jennings commented, I saw in the background the first tower crumble.

Where were you?

Nineteen years of war, terror, patriotism, sacrifice, and debate. Now, a pandemic, death, and confusion. All of it charged with political charades.

My liberal friends are adamant that President George W. Bush is a war criminal. My conservative friends insist that President Trump is doing a good job.

Last week, The Atlantic magazine published a false story—so false multiple eye witnesses from both fans and foes denounced it. The Editor has not apologized for his slander. He says the sources were “not good enough.” This week, the story line is chaos midst COVID’s management. The story is denounced as false. Is no source trustworthy?

I frequently hear the word “unprecedented” used to describe these days. The word means without precedent, never having happened before. There’s no map, no template, nothing to go on.

That’s not true. But the implication is that we should panic. We’ve never been here before. Pity.

The COVID virus is not unprecedented. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918. Terrorism is not new. The blitz of London lasted 57 days, designed by Nazi leadership to terrorize Britain into surrender. Churchill was viewed by some as a war criminal, by others the greatest leader of the modern era. Media of the day lied in support of their preferred leader. They were lied to by political leaders to legitimize the propaganda necessary to deceive Hitler.

I have two thoughts for you to consider.

First, we have been here before. Therefore, there are precedents for how we manage ourselves. So, before subscribing to the panic of the unknown, realize that your forebears charted a course that you can follow. They demonstrated courage and composure that is in your veins. On this day nineteen years ago we witnessed unspeakable horror and hatred, but on this day nineteen years ago we began observing our fellow countrymen rise to the challenge with tears in their eyes but a steely resolve.

Second, as a follower of Jesus Christ, a Christian, you have a spiritual resource living within to guide, comfort, care, and secure your soul. Your spiritual predecessors suffered conquest, martyrdom, discrimination, genocide, imprisonment, torture, tyranny, and despise. They left a litany of testimony to God’s faithfulness, goodness, and presence.

In short, you have every reason to be composed in the face of these days. Take heart. Gather your wits about you and live true and truly.