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"... for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. 6.7

Surely we all know this one - it's a piece of wisdom that's merely been around several thousand years. I'll bet you suspect I'm applying it to Osama bin Laden. Well, certainly it will apply, though we have yet to see just how.

Actually, however, I'd like to reflect on a way this wisdom has already proven true. The proof comes from the aftermath of the September 11th attack. In news coverage of the last week, which we're all drawn to in awful fascination, the story has repeated over and over. The world has come out to honor America and her tragedy; to share their grief over unthinkable events.

Many countries have held national prayer services, along with numerous local ones. Leaders have spoken of shock, outrage, condolence, and support. From Germany, where two hundred thousand gathered in Berlin, proclaiming themselves symbolically New Yorkers; to Iran, where small groups gathered for candlelight vigils, despite the opposition of authorities - many special expressions of sympathy have arisen. Seemingly everywhere, our flag has appeared, and our national anthem has been sung.

What a contrast to impressions we might remember from before that awful Tuesday. We've all seen news footage of our flag being burned, of radicals disdaining us, of leaders denouncing us. We've often felt that the rest of the world held no love for us.

But that's only the surface contrast. All those negative expressions, almost without exception, were from small, highly vocal groups of extremists. Now such hateful, pathetic voices have been washed aside by the tidal wave of support from thousands, hundreds of thousands, even millions.

Our numerous friends are normally quiet, but they remember the high minded character of America's role in the world's last century. They've not forgotten the wars we've fought to resist oppression. They remember that, as the mighty victor of World War II, we didn't create the empire we so easily could have: rather, we poured aid upon the fallen, ally and enemy alike; all who would accept it. Our friends have remembered how American help has flowed to victims of disease and disaster. They've recalled how we've negotiated the waters of our own internal scandals, only to see the light of freedom grow ever stronger.

Maybe it should be no surprise to hear the vast, flooding volume of good will for America that seems so suddenly to have emerged. In truth, it was there, quietly building, all along.

What a surprise, what a shock, what a totally unexpected turn of the table it must be for the bin Ladens of the world - that this sowing of terror has instead brought a reaping of goodness. Verily, a reaping of the manifold goodnesses sown by a nation that they vainly exhort the world to despise.

Copyright ã, Douglas Holt, 2001