As I sat listening to Obama give his speech last night about the death of Osama Bin Laden I was quickly reminded of sitting in my reading class in 7th grade watching those towers fall. Being only 12, I didn't really understand everything that was going on. I couldn't understand the full affect it had on so many lives. I was sad and burdened for these families, but did I truly comprehend the depths of pain this man and so many others brought on that day? No. I was only 12. Ten years later, I sat there on my couch and was struggling with what I should be feeling. I wanted to rejoice but found myself fighting it. This terrible man isn't just dead, but in hell. Knowing this, I couldn't fully rejoice. Yes, I believe he deserves it. God's justice is perfect and I trust in the Lord's sovereign will. However, I can't help but remember that I deserve it as well. Though I may not be a mass murderer, my sin is just as selfish. I was humbled as I sat there pondering this. To know that the only reason I wasn't in his shoes is because of God's merciful hand on my life.
Then this next question came to mind: Would I be able to rejoice if the Lord had saved Bin Laden? Paul encouraged martyrdom of Christians as well, yet we are very glad to this day that the Lord chose to save him. I wonder how people felt when they first heard of Paul's conversion. What about my closer enemies? It's easy to push them away and say the Lord will deal with them. The difficult part and almost forgotten: Praying for their souls. Their need for Jesus is just as strong as mine.
With that being said, I was still able to rejoice over the gratitude I have for our troops and those that have given their lives over the past 10 years. It's a bittersweet victory indeed.
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