Who shall separate us
from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or
nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death
all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through Him who loved us. For
I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither
the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39
Today marks the 12th anniversary of the tragic events that
took place on September 11, 2001, and life as we knew it here in the United
States was forever changed. It’s hard
for me to fathom what the grieving families and friends of the victims of the
terrorist attacks are still feeling on this sad anniversary. Their day probably began like any other, but
unfolded into a nightmare by mid-morning.
By the time news of the first plane crashing into the World Trade Center
had gained national media attention, a second plane crashed into the second
tower and frightening reality that our nation was under attack began to sink
in.
I was in New York City two weeks prior to September
11th. The highlight of my trip was
taking a tour to the top of the World Trade Center and the seeing the utterly
amazing view of the city. Less than a
week later, I watched the horrific events of that day unfolding and people
jumping to their death, I felt broken, helpless, shaken, and scared; were the
people I saw when I was in the World Trade Center still in the building when
the planes crashed? For weeks, I mourned
the loss of innocent lives and remained glued to the television every night as
the rescue efforts continued. I was
depressed, angry, and confused during those dark and dreaded days. The only bit of hope and security that I had
at that time, was in reading my Bible, specifically the above passage from
Romans.
Our world is an uncertain and always changing place. Many people seek security in material possessions,
wealth, affluence, relationships, and power.
Regardless, none of these things are guaranteed from one day to the
next. The events that took place on
September 11, 2001 provide proof that any of those things can be taken from us
in a matter of seconds.
For believers, even during chaotic times, we can rest
assured that nothing can tear us away from our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ. Today, as we remember the brave
men and women who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on the United
States, let us also remember where we can find true security. Place your hope and confidence in the solid
rock of Jesus.