The Year of the Lives
By Travis K. McSherley

If there were a theme to describe the year 2001, perhaps it would be "life."  During the entire year, the topic of life has been prominent, one way or another, throughout American thinking.

Prior to the year's final quarter, stem cell research could have been a serious contender for issue of the year.  Many scientists wanted federal funding in order to use stem cells from human embryos in medical research.  This hot debate occupied much of the middle of 2001 and again stirred the argument of when life really begins.

But the stem cell debate is only a part of the controversy that has taken place over cells in the science lab.  During the last week of November, another big 2001 issue was resurrected: cloning.  A topic of much discussion earlier in the year, cloning was brought to the table again when a company in Massachusetts claimed to have cloned human embryos.  This, of course, caused the uproar over the morality of cloning to reignite.

This past summer, the news showed a man's life that was likely lengthened when he was given a self-contained mechanical heart.

The fate of one man captured America's attention in May and June of 2001, along with the argument of whether he should live or die.  The life of the convicted-and-condemned Oklahoma City bomber was ended on June 11 when he was executed in Terre Haute, Indiana.  Though a majority of Americans supported executing Timothy McVeigh for the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building, many Christians and non-Christians remained split on the issue of taking someone's life as a criminal punishment.

The lives of eight Christian missionaries made world headlines when they were arrested and detained by the Taliban government.  They were accused of spreading the Gospel in the Islamic country of Afghanistan.  As many other missionaries around the globe lost their lives for their faith, it was anyone's guess whether the eight in Afghanistan would be regain their normal lives.

Then, the lives of two individuals stole the platform, causing Gary Condit and Chandra Levy to become household names.  In what has become a source of dark humor now, the media nightly carried the latest updates and probes to find out as much dirt as possible on the California Congressman -- and what happened to Miss Levy, too.  Americans were inundated with each new twist in the sad story.

That was, of course, until September 11, the most unforgettable day of the year -- and maybe a lifetime -- which saw the lives of thousands of people ended in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania.  As if a bad dream, the attacks shocked the world, and changed the psyche of the American people.  Many lives were lost, but one seems to have been revived -- if only for a time: the life of the American spirit.

That September day impacted the entire world, and it affected the lives of nearly every American.  Some had fear of another attack.  Some had pride in their country's stamina and leadership.  Some were angry.  Some faced mourning of the friends that were lost.  Some responded with faith in the God of the Universe.  Some found that faith for the first time.

"Life" has certainly been a central focus in the past twelve months.  2001 provided sometimes-difficult reminders of many realities: Life is short.  It is fragile.  It isn't fair.  The year caused many questions to be asked: What is life?  When does life begin?  Can the government take it away?

Undoubtedly, these questions and realities will stay with us into the coming year and beyond.  As of October, the US military -- as well as military from many other countries -- are engaged in a "war" on terrorism.  Lives are at stake.  Fortunately, the missionaries under detention by the Taliban found their way home.  But American military lives are still on the line.  Enemy soldiers are falling.  Innocent civilians around the globe are targets of germs and bombs meant to cut their lives short.

However, this month celebrates the beginning of the greatest life that was ever lived -- that of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Because of His life and death, we all have the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful life that never ends.  A life without sorrow.  A life without pain.  A life without fear, frustration, terrorists, anthrax....  He valued your life so much that He willingly gave His.  2001 may have engaged many an argument over the meaning and value of life, and 2002 will undoubtedly continue many more.  But if we give our lives to Him, we can have true hope in the future, beyond the wars and tension of this world.  Just as the years before and the years to come, this is the year of our Lord.