1 Corinthians 1:10 — I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

We will never forget.

No, we will never forget.

It’s been twenty-five years since 9/11, but doesn’t it sometimes feel like yesterday?

I remember how quickly everything seemed to change. One moment, we were just going about our ordinary lives, and then suddenly, our country was hurting. We were watching the same images, hearing the same stories, and wondering what would happen next.

That’s part of why we say those words, “We will never forget.”

Because some moments are too important to forget. It can be so easy to look back and get stuck on the tragedy itself. To remember the fear, the loss, and the people whose lives were changed forever.

But there’s something else I like to think about on 9-11. Do you remember how unified we were as Americans? I mean, wasn’t that beautiful? For a little while, so many of the things that normally divided us seemed smaller. We hurt together. We grieved together. We looked out for each other.

I think that’s worth remembering too. Because there was a “togetherness” in those days where we became willing to lay aside differences and stand together as one.

Wouldn’t it be something if we didn’t have to wait for another tragedy to do that? Couldn’t we carry that same spirit into the grocery store, into our neighborhoods, into our workplaces, and into conversations we have with people who don’t look like us or think exactly like us.

Scripture calls the church to live that way too. Christians shouldn’t be fractured by constant division. No, the heart of Christ has a way of turning strangers into neighbors and neighbors into family.

Because we were never meant to live as isolated people, pulling farther and farther apart. We were made to belong to one another and to become something more like a family.

Wouldn’t that be great?

Maybe that’s how we remember.

And maybe, just maybe, it’ll keep on going.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What do you remember most about the unity and compassion people showed after 9/11?
• What differences or disagreements are making it harder for you to live in harmony with someone right now?
• How might the love of Christ help you see someone who is different from you as a neighbor—or even as family?
• What is one practical way you can choose unity, kindness, or compassion in your home, workplace, neighborhood, or church this week?
• How can you help keep the spirit of togetherness alive without waiting for another tragedy to bring people together?