You need to hear this country song, Pastor Tony. Read Jeremiah 12:1-4. We all have music preferences. Country music is not my preference. I fight the internal battle not to allow my preference to become a prejudice. When I shared this internal struggle with Wesley Chapel back in August, I had several people offer me some country music songs that they “knew” I would like. I was skeptical. One thing I do like is a good story. There are a lot of good stories written down as country music songs. Tyler Jewell’s first Sunday as Director of Worship was September 6. I had given him my sermon list for September. The sermon title was “When Towers Fall,” and the description was about the 26^th anniversary of 9/11. He wanted to know if I’d be OK if we could sing “Where Were You?” by Alan Jackson. I pulled up the lyrics before I listened to the song.

“Where were you when the world stopped turning

That September day?

Out in the yard with your wife and children?

Workin' on some stage in LA?

Did you weep for the children

Who lost their dear loved ones

Or pray for the ones who don't know?

Did you rejoice for the people

Who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below?

The words were touching and emotional, and I felt myself back in the dentist’s office side room watching a mounted TV as the second tower fell. I continued to read, struggling with my emotions while trying to stay focused on the question, “Is this appropriate for worship?” Twelve years ago, our Director of Worship chose a secular song that went with the message. A Sunday School teacher and thirty other families left Wesley Chapel as a result. They let me know that my poor leadership was the reason, but when I pushed for specifics, it always came back to the song. As I continued to read the Alan Jackson song, I came to these lyrics:

“But I know Jesus, and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us,

And the greatest is love.”

Well, what could be a better message? This wasn’t just a song. It was a testimony. Jeremiah asked God in Holy Scripture, “Why does the wicked prosper?” On 9/11, we were asking similar questions. How did this act of terror succeed? How can there be hate this great? The message from God over and over is that God is our God and we are God’s people. We may face evil in the world, but love wins. When Jesus died on the cross, love won. When Jesus was resurrected, love won. What do we really have in this world? The Apostle Paul and Alan Jackson say that the only thing we really have is faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love.



God of Grace, when the world stops turning, help us to turn to you. When our faith wavers, renew our faith. When the ashes block out the sun, give us hope for a new day. When we are confronted with evil, let us choose love.