Even in the Quietest Moments

 

When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.  Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.  Matthew 6:6

I sometimes have a hard time finding quiet moments to spend alone with God.  It’s hard with two young men (ages 18 and 15) around and especially during the hustle and bustle of each work day.  To make matters worse, I really dig music and very rarely have the discipline enough to turn the stereo off when I am driving in the car, so I always feel somewhat distracted. 

One of the characteristics of Jesus is that He would often go off to be alone to pray, especially after performing miracles or teaching a group of disciples.  He was onto something and we all should make the time to spend quiet moments alone with God.

God's voice is often hard to hear and discern through all of the noise and distractions of this world.  We must give Him our time, focus, and undivided attention, just as Jesus did.

The Rising

 

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 sad 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 for a concert 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.