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September 11th: The Call That Shook My World
by W. SmithThe hum in the office grew as people filtered in that morning. Soft chuckles over some incident the night before, muffled conversations and ringing phones filled the air. Suddenly, an urgent tone broke in. The first reports of a possible tragedy began circulating, and while some employees wrapped up phone calls, one or two turned on a radio, and others shared what they'd learned. As we got the first details of an airline crash - and then of another - we were gripped by a sense of unreality.
Who can forget the morning of September 11th? It was a day that shattered a façade of predictability and security, and altered the way many thought. It was a day of profound loss for individuals, a nation and the world.
My personal 9/11
After the first reports of planes hitting the Twin Towers, I received a personal phone call. While not as unexpected, it too shook my inner world in ways I’d never dreamed a few years before. I heard, “Your divorce is final. We received the final paperwork this morning. You‘ll be receiving it soon.”
Stepping out of the office to deal with the flood of my emotions, I entered a break room where a group of employees was gathering, riveted to the corner TV. Suddenly, I heard gasps. As I turned, we saw live footage of the second tower collapsing.
The sense of loss that morning was overwhelming, both the shared loss and my personal loss.
When towers crumble and dreams give way, where can we turn? Our plans and sense of stability are shattered. The landmarks of our lives are in upheaval, and only what is eternal can help to anchor our souls.
A secure place to rest
As I began to process my own September 11th, I was drawn back once again to my unchanging God, the One who loves me as no other, who counts each hair on my head. It is only in Him that I could find lasting security, for any other foundation was subject to change.
I’d often defined myself largely by the marriage relationship. I’m learning that even more importantly, I am a precious and loved child of the Almighty God. The identity we find in the labels of wife, mother, teacher, nurse, or friend may be altered by circumstance or choice. It is only as my heart finds its identity in relationship with my loving God that it finds a secure place to rest. Nothing, He says, can separate me from His love! Nothing can change His heart towards me. He calls me His own. He has promised to never leave me or forsake me.
Clearing the rubble and rebuilding
The losses of September 11th are real, and life will never return to “what was.” For me, though memories linger, my marriage is gone. God was not surprised by the death of my marriage. He understands the pain of rejection and betrayal, for He too has experienced rejection. He is no stranger to grief, and will not run away from my tears or my fears.
God is clearing away the destruction and beginning to fashion something new, something different, out of my life. The loneliness is giving way to a number of rich friendships. I’m grateful for the people God's placed around me to remind me of His love and grace.
I don’t know what my future holds, but I know God's not given up on me. “'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” (Jeremiah 29:11).
My heavenly Father's faithfulness in the past, in my own life and the lives of others, encourages me to trust Him for that future.
He is my strong tower.
Is this the life for me?
Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?
Living with hope
If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here's a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised. Is this the life for you?
If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you'll experience life to the fullest.
