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It may be the end of the day on September 11, but I thought it only fitting that my devotion today be the word remembrance.

In my 28 years, I have been around for a few major events in the United States and the world. The Challenger and Columbia shuttle accidents…countless bombings…Desert Shield/Storm…September 11, 2001…the Iraq War. And those are just the ones I can think of at this time of day.

I thank my God every time I remember you. — Philippians 1:3

The rest of the passage goes on to explain Paul’s thanksgiving about the Philippians’ response to the gospel. But today, as with most occasions that bring up memories of the tragic events of the past…I thank God for everything I’ve experienced through Him — and the people, Christian and otherwise, who He has let me meet…who He has allowed me to befriend.

I found out a while after the World Trade Center destruction about the death of my friend, Alok Mehta. I had not talked to Alok in a little over five years, since we graduated high school together…but seeing his name on the list of those who perished made it real. I have a pretty weird gift of empathy when it comes to reactions to events like this, but this was different. “It made it more real,” as people say.

So…my way of remembering is in my actions. It’s in the good memories that I hold. And in the pictures I save. So…in remembrance, here are a few photos from the space program disasters (some from my lifetime, some not), as well as some from the 9/11 attacks. All photos are courtesy of NASA except for the final one.

 

I am a Christian…and while I always have prayed, I’ve been severely lacking in the devotionals department as of late.

God knows this…and that’s why He shines through Josiah. It seems that everytime I look at Josiah, and see that life which has been provided to Sarah and I, God also says “Remember me?”

So I decided today to study two topics — the word devotion, and time.

I know the basics of the word devotion. It is either that dedication that you give to something or someone, or also, for the religious, can be the time and energy you give towards the Lord, whether it be studying his Word or doing His work. But I wanted to know more…and found a verse in Jeremiah.

…I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown. — Jeremiah 2:2

And just to show that devotion cannot be incomplete, or lacking in effort, there is a verse in 2nd Corinthians.

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. — 2 Corinthians 11:3

I must give, in both effort and energy, my full devotion to Him. That means not just praying to Him daily and attending church, but also studying His Word daily. I know that there will be times where this will be difficult, but that’s what devotion means — to make time.

But that then got me thinking about time…and I could find no better passage than one in Ecclesiastes.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to week and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. — Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything…which means sometimes putting something aside that we want to do, and doing something we need to do. Whether it is sleep, games, “downtime,” or whatever — we must have time to study His word. Is this not the least that I can do to thank Him for eternal life with Him? Is this not the least that I can do to thank Him for His forgiveness? Is this not the least that I can do for my Creator?

So…this is, hopefully, a new beginning.

Sights like this make it easy to believe that God exists…