Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
This week, we once again remember and commemorate the devastating attacks on the United States that took place September 11, 2001. In the blinking of an eye, we became a nation that was under attack by terrorists, who used four planes to target the World Trade Center buildings, the Pentagon, and an unknown destination. Every year, my generation will recall this date and remember the feelings we had as we watched or heard the events unfolding before us.
We have heard the story of the fourth plane, United Flight 93, which crashed in the fields of Pennsylvania. The passengers on board heard reports of the other flights, knew that their flight was being used to target another location, and took action to overtake the terrorists and ground the plane out of harm’s way. We know these events transpired based on phone conversations that those passengers had with loved ones moments before they got the upper hand on the terrorists.
The events that took place in that plane – some we know, some we can only quess at – have captured my thoughts this past week. I can only imagine the fear that many, if not all, of the passengers felt when the terrorists commandeered the plane. I imagine the fear was heightened as they became aware that the plane would be used as a missile to target and harm others. At some point, everyone on that flight had to know that their lives would end within minutes.
It is at this point, that I consider the heroism of those passengers. Yes, there were some who took charge and overpowered the terrorists. Others would have stayed in their seats waiting for the end. However, what impresses me is that all of the passengers, I believe, collectively chose to sacrifice their lives in order to save the lives of countless others. That is heroism defined by action. Some may say that the passengers didn’t have a choice, that their fate was already sealed, but I do not think that is true. They did have a choice (albeit a limited choice). They could have done nothing and allowed an untold number also to perish, or they could choose to limit the number of fatalities. They heroically chose the second option. Imagine what may have happened if those men and women chose inaction instead of action.
As Jesus said, a true friend will lay down his life for another person. In the case of United Flight 93, many men and women chose to lay down their lives for the sake of others. Jesus was telling his disciples that he would soon lay down His life for their benefit. And we are called in many ways to lay down our lives for others. If asked, “Would you put yourself in harm’s way in order to save the life of your spouse or child?” all of us would immediately answer affirmatively. I would, without a doubt, take on death for my wife or my children. Jesus takes it a step further, asking if we would be willing to give our lives for our friends. The passengers of Flight 93 showed us their willingness to give their lives for others by their actions.
You and I may never be placed in a position where we have to make such a dramatic decision. But, we must be prepared and willing to make that choice should we be asked to. Just as importantly, we are called to give up our lives in much less dramatic ways. You are called to love your spouse as Christ loved the church, and gave Himself up for her. I fall far short of that expectation. How about you? In what ways have you counted others more significant than yourself (Philippians 2:3)? Have you given up your “rights” in order to raise your children with respect? Have you put away petty rivalries you have with your neighbors? I know I have a long way to go in all of these areas. And I know that under my own power, I cannot be the humble, sacrificial person I am called to be. Heroism can be defined not just in the big events, but also in the simple day-to-day events.
I will never know why the passengers of Flight 93 chose to overtake the terrorists. Did some do so to protect others? Did some do so to uphold, as best as they could, principles of democracy and freedom? Did some do so to honor the United States? Did some do so that our way of life might not be changed? I will never know. But, if I may conjecture, I would guess that at least one person was hoping that his or her last act might bring the challenge to someone to live a better life. Someone surely hoped that his sacrifice would result in other people cherishing their families more. Someone certainly thought her sacrifice might bring hope to someone’s life.
True heroes are defined by the choices and actions that those heroes make. Do you have the courage to be a hero?
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