Today marks 20 years after the planes struck the twin towers. 20 years. 20 years after I sat in the cafeteria with my school in Kelly Elementary, watching everything unfold on the TV screen, and not knowing what would come next.
20 years.
Today, 9/11/2021 was just an ordinary day for me. It was my Granddad’s birthday today, and it was a great day to get some writing done, and complete some other things around the house. A typical, ordinary day like no other.
It was a great day for things to be done just two decades ago. A great day for thousands upon thousands of New Yorkers, others in the Pentagon, and still others in Pennsylvania. But for many, in either two buildings, in the air, or even on the ground, it would be the last day they would see.
I can’t remember much from that day 20 years ago. I don’t have many memories from my childhood in general, but what I do remember, was watching the scene unfold in front of my eyes, and thinking, “Whoa. Now what?”
20 years ago, I was wondering that, and still these 20 years later, I wonder that same thing: now what, Lord? What’s going to happen next? 20 years that we were at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 20 years later, the people have been re-invaded by the Taliban just days after our leaving, and unrest is still very real there, as if the threat had never left to begin with. As if thousands of Americans hadn’t already lost their lives defending the very freedom they believe in: the liberty they know the rest of the world has as much a right to have as we do.
There’s been an utter flood of posts on Facebook in honor of everyone who lost their lives on that fateful day 20 years ago, the tall and the small, feet and paws alike. I hope I can do something similar here tonight, but first, I want to bring Jesus into the picture.
I was reading through the book of John today, and came to the part when Jesus was comforting His disciples, and preparing them for His upcoming death, resurrection, then ascension into heaven. He was explaining the fact that he would have to leave them in order for them all to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, since Jesus in His human form could not be everywhere at once. This was obviously distressing to the disciples, because they didn’t want to lose their closest confidant, the One through whom life is found. But what they didn’t realize at the time was that His leaving was the best thing for them.
“‘All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’” (John 14:25-27).
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
Just take a moment and let that sink in. Jesus said that to His disciples two thousand years ago, and I believe He said it just as much for them, as for us today. His words are as relevant then as they are now, and will continue to be relevant.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Can you picture Jesus saying this to you?
My peace I give you. Do not be afraid.
If you can’t picture Him saying that to you, and would like to, know that you can invite Him into your heart and life at any time- even today, and that you too, can know this same peace he promises. Peace that surpasses all understanding. Peace that goes before you. Peace that can be found even amongst life’s toughest of storms.
And when you do find yourself in a storm and don’t know what to do, you know what? There’s promises to be enjoyed when you’re in His love! Matthew 5:4 reads:
“’Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’”
That’s not just an empty promise, from one Bible-hugger to another: it’s the truth!
Also, Jesus has mourned too- you are not alone! I’m hoping someday to go more in depth into this, but Jesus himself has been there too. He was human after all, so He’s experienced loss, especially from the death of His friend Lazarus, and I’m sure He’s lost family members. Nevertheless, do you want to know the shortest verse in the Bible?
“Jesus wept.” John 11:35.
Jesus wept. He wept. He knew that He would be able to raise Lazarus from the dead, but still:
He wept.
My friend, if you’re reading this, and you’re going through something—whether you’re still mourning the loss of a friend or family member those 20 years ago, or whether you’re going through a more recent loss—please hear this: though you might not want to hear it, know that of all people that could truly understand what you’re going through, God knows, and understands the best of them all. Of all people to know exactly what you went through or are going through now, even if you can’t bring the words to your lips- He knows. He knows, and He understands. Even if you want nothing to do with Him, or even if He’s not a fleeting thought across your mind, please know that He hears you, and He loves you. His love for you is like no other.
Even though we don’t know what tomorrow will bring—whether we’ll ever get back to “normal” after the numerous deaths from just COVID-19 alone, or if we’ll just have to adapt to that new normal like those who have been forced to do after losing their loved ones on 9/11—we can rest in the fact that Jesus has already overcome the world. We have only to stand firm in the victory that He already won on the cross.
And please know that in saying all of this, that I do NOT want to minimize anyone’s feelings whatsoever in regards to this horrific day 20 years ago, or about mourning in general. I’m privileged to say that I didn’t personally know anyone who was there that day, and I fortunately haven’t known too much loss up to this point in my life. If you’re reading this, and you know someone near and dear to your heart who’s life was taken on that day, or on any other day that seemed like they were going to be your average day, but turned out to be anything but that: I feel for you. I’m praying for you. My heart goes out to you, and even more so, does the Lord’s. His heart burns for yours.
So before I sign off, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who have spent their lives saving others. Those who are still laying their lives on the line every. single. ordinary day of our lives, which could possibly mean the last day of theirs. Thank you for all that you guys do. Our lives are forever changed, and never to be the same. We love you.
“‘Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’” John 15:13
Vale Baile 