The Day the World Stopped Turning

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?! {Alan Jackson}

I was in my truck driving to seminary on what I thought was a "normal" Tuesday morning.

I began to hear reports on the radio of what appeared to be an "accidental" crashing of a plane into one of the World Trade Center towers.

I continued to drive. And to listen.

And then it happened. The unimaginable. A second plane crashed into the second tower and the world we lived in was no longer the same. Our country was under attack and fear began to set in.

I eventually arrived at Southwestern Seminary where my professors, classmates and I spent the day gathered around tvs, watching people jump to their death and the twin towers fall.

I called Big A who lived in another state at the time. He and his roommates where watching the horror from their on-campus apartment.

There were no words. Only silent thoughts questioning the whereabouts of our God in the midst of this devastation.

That night my roommate and I held a prayer gathering in our apartment. At that time, we had a "Friends" thing going on. Several of us, guys and girls, living in the North Dallas area, working our separate jobs, attending the same church, hanging out daily, doing life together as though a little family.

We did alot of praying and talking, basically ministering to one another, trying to determine where God was and what our next steps would be.

It was a scary, unsettling time. As the days and weeks passed, our beloved America began to display the resemblings of a third world country. Fear hung in the air like a heavy fog. Armed gunmen swarmed our airports. Anthrax invaded our post offices. Sightings of low-flying planes triggered panic attacks. No one wanted to leave loved ones for fear it would be the last time they saw one another.

We would never be the same. And we will never forget.

Today as I watch all of the 9/11 memorial specials on tv, listening to story after story of lives lost, my heart is heavy once again.

The feelings of terror, grief and disbelief come flooding back and I am reminded that we live in an unsafe world where evil unfortunately exists.

And yet there is hope in the reports of the brave men and women who gave their lives to save another so that we can enjoy the freedoms synonomous with "the land of the free and the home of the brave."

And I come to the understanding that their sacrifice is similar to the one that Christ gave for us on the cross 2000 years ago.

Because of it, we should live changed lives, putting others before ourselves, helping those in need, striving to make this world a better place for all who live here. In the same way those almost 3000 did that dreaded day when the towers fell.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation---but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you slaves again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. {Romans 8:12-17}

And I realize that there is hope in a God who on that dreaded day was sitting on his throne, weeping with those who were weeping, comforting those who lost loved ones, calming those paralyzed with fear and guiding the next steps of our leaders and of all who sought him.

The forces of evil may think they won the battle that day but God was not surprised {or shaken} by the events of September 11, 2001.

You see, he knows who wins the war.

With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies. {Psalm 60:12}

Linking up with {Encouraging Words Wednesday}: