Over the years, I have done some demolition. And I am pretty good at it! It is the easiest part of any rebuilding process; give me a sledgehammer and shovel and I can do some damage. Rebuilding, though, takes skill. Envisioning what a new kitchen or bathroom might look like – picking just the right fixtures and design – matching the tile to the paint and the cabinets – creating something new takes skill, but any fool can destroy. Today is a reminder of this very simple concept – 25 years ago, evil men pretending to be Muslims changed the world we live in. They destroyed our sense of security – our trust of one another – our belief in the goodness of humanity. Since that day 25 years ago, we have gradually lost our unity and our hope; at least, some people have. We have turned on one another and become openly hateful. Or, maybe, the facade of politeness that so many of us try to show the world was finally ripped away. You tell me.
Throughout American history – no – human history – there have been builders and there have been destroyers. There have been those who have worked together for the common good and those who steal for their own satisfaction. We have seen our own country stand against Nazis to save the world; we have also invaded places for no other reason than to take their resources. Force isn’t always wrong, but it is often used to ravage rather than save. Colonial powers conquered, killed, and divided the spoils of those unable to defend themselves. Many of these powers have also stood against tyranny, creating a better way to live for people under the thumb of one lunatic or another. Any fool can destroy, but it takes thought and patience to create.
Creation can be messy, but in a different way. I think of God’s prime role as Creator, but even God, Genesis 2 tells us, wasn’t always sure about the product being made. God didn’t want Adam to be alone, so God decided to make a partner for him. God brought each animal to Adam, but verse 20 tells us, “for the man there was not found a helper as his partner.” So, God put Adam to sleep and made Eve from his rib. A nice metaphor, but not factually true. Creating something new is never perfect, but to do it right takes time and effort and consideration. Destruction needs no moral code or integrity; creation does. Unless we are creating something to bring destruction. We have allowed our already limited sense of unity to erode from the destruction of September 11, 2001, but it isn’t too late to reverse that movement. We just have to decide to work towards a better world, rather than a limited one – to go forward rather than backward. We have to give up our foolish ways for wisdom. We can do this – if we want to. But it will take work.
Prayer – Holy God, may our hands and hearts and minds seeks to make the world better, not worse. Amen.
Today’s art is “The Genesis Creation” by Igor Paley.