GOD’S BRIGHTEST HOPE IN AMERICA’S
DARKEST HOUR
The smoke and debris from that Tuesday, 9/11/2001, terrorist attack on
America served as
fitting analogies to the unclear and shattered emotions that most have been
forced to deal with following a tragedy some consider the worst in our nation’s
history.
By now, everyone is aware that four planes were hijacked on the East
Coast with the perpetrators on a “kamikaze” mission
like none other witnessed in our time or any other. Two hit the World Trade Towers, bringing them
to their knees, one hit the Pentagon and the last was driven into the ground in
Shanksville in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
The damage has yet to be counted, but 266 died on the planes and untold
numbers on earth below. Frankly, as the
word has been used hundreds of times, it all seemed “surreal.” Like something out of a Hollywood movie, the
sight of the two planes crashing into the Twin Towers, the distance of the
events from our homes, the ensuing collapse of the buildings, and unknown people
involved, we stood almost questioning its reality.
That is, until more information started emerging from the buildings and
airplane manifest. Every kind of person and profession was
represented. You name it…from Hollywood
directors to homemakers to television reporters to secretaries.
And if those things didn’t help it sink in, then reading the list of
victims and their ages did. While we may never know all that transpired
on those flights, we do know that on United Flight 175, 76-yearold Rev. Francis
Grogan stood at the back while not far away little 3-year old Christine Hanson held closely to
her parents Peter and Susan, 32 & 35.
As well, practically every age in between the little girl and the
minister stood by on board. We don’t
know what they knew, but their destiny would be the second Twin Tower building
and, sadly, their final minutes on earth.
Unprecedented tragedies such as these become pregnant pauses in life to
cause us to evaluate
our beliefs and, in many cases, see how faulty our view can be and how mortal
and vulnerable we really are. The Bible,
always our guide, reminds us of a couple examples of important truths to hold
onto in times such as these:
- Remember that you can’t add time to your life. (Matthew 6:27) Like the victims, each of us has a certain number of days allotted on earth that we must learn to hold more dearly and use more rightly. Though the type of loss is hard to bear, it is nonetheless true. Matthew 6:27 says, “Who of you by worrying (or doing anything else for that matter) can add a single hour to your life?” Whether long or short, we are challenged to live lives that are pleasing and in right relationship with God.
- Remember that you can add life to your time. (John 10:10) While Reebok’s tells us that, “Life is short, play hard,” the author of Psalm 90 “Prays hard,” that we realize that life is short.” Jesus adds in John 10:10, “I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” When we find that true life comes from Jesus Christ alone, we start making choices that add life to our years.
While countless lessons will continue to surface from America’s day of
infamy, the greatest
remains that, though tragedy occurs, God still cares…and while sin still
exists, an answer has been given in our loving Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thankfully, good news is always present for whoever is willing to hear it.
Consider reading the Word today:
Terry Risser
Copyright 2014 – Terry Risser
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