The morning of May 2nd, 2011 the United States of America and the entire world came together once again, as it did only two days ago for the royal wedding. This time it was a different kind of gathering. A different kind of celebration. A celebration that had thousands, if not millions parading their streets in shouts of joy and jubilation, heard miles and miles away. This celebration that came late Sunday evening for others, and early Monday morning for many, called for the voice of the President, and the attention of millions keenly awaiting this major announcement.
OSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD
That was the headline that caught my attention, as I was in the midst of positioning myself on my sofa, while anxiously scrolling through channels in hopes of finding something interesting to watch. I opted for CNN, and that’s pretty much where my anxious fingers found rest. As the BREAKING NEWS of his death caught my attention, for a few seconds I thought I was seeing wrong. “It couldn’t be,” I thought. Then came “Waoh, God you have finally brought this day.” Within a span of a few seconds, or minutes, emotions of different sorts went through my mind. The biggest of them being – ” Waoh, God you are impossible.” Because from the minute I heard that announcement, to the minuted my mind began racing with all sorts of emotions, there was no doubt, that God was behind this.
Since then, I have had a chance to digest this WORLD BREAKING NEWS, and also had a chance to reflect back on my very own journey. I have in all honesty, celebrated inwardly with the millions whose lives have been affected by his heinous acts, and whispered a prayer here and there of thanks giving for this day. I have also wondered, like am sure many have wondered, what if anything will come out of this. As a woman and mother, my heart has ached for his little children, now left behind to deal with the consequences of their father’s actions. I have also wondered, if at all there was anything we as the world, we as Christians, would have done to prevent a fellow human being, from committing such terrible acts. In my thoughts and wonder, I have also asked myself, – What on earth pushed this man to this unbelievable state of mind, to where he found great pleasure in killing others.
Should Christians Rejoice Over His Killing?
It’s perhaps one of the most challenging discussions to have, and also potentially explosive in opinion. To set the stage for this discussion, I withdrew back to my very own experience. Having lost my father to a brutal murder, I opted to base my frame of thought on my very own experience, and walk with Christ. To say that I am NOT happy to see this day for all who lost loved ones in 9/11, and also from other attacks in the world, is a lie. Because the truth is, I am in many ways happy and thrilled that they’ve got to see this day. Beyond happy, I am overwhelmed with a sense of peace, like I am sure you are that – OSAMA BIN LADEN has finally been forced to cease his attacks. To know that brings me great relief.
However, even in knowing that he is dead. In knowing that he no longer exists to hurt others, there is a big part of me, that truly feels sorry for him. A part of me that feels wrong to celebrate his death. To celebrate any non Christian death. Because I know that as a Christian, I am called to bring others to Christ. I am called to show the love of Christ to others. To forgive, even the ones who are called – UNFORGIVABLE. How else can I call myself Christian, if I don’t forgive? It’s not that I in any way condone his actions. On the contrary, I totally disapprove of them. But, it’s the Christ like image in me that cries when i see one perishing, with a great potential of not seeing the kingdom of God.
In a perfect world, I would hope for a redemptive life for him. I would hope that he would one day address the world, and ask for forgiveness. And if that’s not hope enough, as painful as it would be, I would hope that someone would arise in forgiving him, as I have forgiven those who brutally killed my father. I would also hope and pray for his salvation, and ask that he serve the remainder of his life in prison, hopefully reflecting on his past, and re-living a better, more worthy life. Perhaps, even more rewarding it would be if he lead the prison’s men’s fellowship, or ministered to his fellow in-mates.
Those are my hopes.
For him and for anyone in his situation.
But as we all know, life is in many ways short. Whatever life we are given, we are to use it as if tomorrow will never come.
To all who struggle with forgiveness. To the millions whose loved ones he has killed, my heart goes out to you. Please find rest in knowing that you are not alone. And even better, find rest in knowing that our Father in heaven sees all, and knows all. Ask Him he says, and you will receive. Peace He will grant those who ask and believe. He will do that and so much more
I want to leave you with one thought -
When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free
– Catherine Ponder
Images Taken From → CNN.com & Boston.com
