September 11, 2001- September 11, 2008. Seven years and counting.
This morning on my way to class, the radio had a moment of silence at 7:46 a.m. for the first plane hitting the World Trade Centers. Big surprise, I teared up while praying (with eyes open since I was driving, ha! no worries.) Sitting in class, I kept thinking about the whole ordeal. I couldn’t help but think about all the questions and anger of those Americans who were personally affected by it. We were blessed enough to not lose anyone close to us. My heart honestly breaks for the suicide bombers who were so lost and twisted as to think they were doing this for God. Even more so, I get a pit in my stomach for the souls who didn’t meet eternity that day.
Instead of learning about the history of magazines in class, my mind kept wondering to, ”Why DID God let that happen?” (Funny I’m blogging about this b/c I had a discussion last fall with a class friend, Brian, who asked me basically that very question about 9/11.) It is so legit to see why those personally affected would be so conflicted and angry. I believe it’s definitely ok to think about those questions and struggle with the answer. You must come back to the truth. There are two kingdoms: Hell and Heaven. There is a battle everyday. Battles in the form of our thoughts, our relationships, our behavior, our emotions and even on a larger scale-catastrophes like 9/11. Although evil implented their tatics that day, the Lord has the glory. He had it under control. He already knew. He has glory in the fact that it brought our country together. American pride was enstilled in our hearts; people praised God for our freedom. He brought many of His followers home that day. Many people have found their salvation after the confusion and pain of the events. At the point of desperation, the only source of comfort and HOPE is Him.
“Source of comfort and hope”- I pictured the cross and then I had a cool thought. It’s kinda neat to think about the cross as an image of the Lord standing there with his arms open wide waiting for His children to come to Him. He was there that day with His arms open wide to the hurting and anger that day. Those are the burdens Jesus carries for us. He is always saying, “Run to me.” We are promised troubles and heartache, BUT “He has overcome the world.” We must face them with security in the Lord. We are only safe in the Lord’s arms.
Ok and y’all I just kinda got chills. I left class this morning and while walking out to my car, I started humming “None but Jesus”- that Hillsong United song. It honestly just came to me out of nowhere. I don’t really remember the last time I listened to it. I kept kinda humming the “crucified to set me free, now I live to bring Him praise.” I was like hm, I need to listen to that when I get in the car. I forgot when I got to the car and just remembered it now. I looked up the lyrics and guys..look at what some of the lyrics are:
In the chaos, in confusion
I know You’re Sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will
Seriously, I did not plan that. SUPER COOL! Go God.
Blog blessings. Love and miss y’all (even the AU folk!) -Baruka
