God in the Tragedy
17 years. It’s been 17 years since I was sitting in my sixth grade class at SLU Laboratory School and saw on the news the Twin Towers collapsing from the 2 planes being flown into them… a terrorist attack on America; the first one I remember as a child, though I know there were others before then.
September 11, 2018 and Where was God on 9/11? by Tess Haranda, that my co-worker shared with me today, inspired me to write this, as September 11, 2001 left many wondering “where was God in all of this?” People wonder the same thing almost any time there’s a tragedy, no matter the nature of the tragedy. Before I add my 2 cents, my thoughts, I want you to read below. Where was God on 9/11 by Tess Haranda:
He was discouraging people from taking those four flights. Together they could accommodate more than 1,000 passengers, yet there were only 266 aboard. He was on those four flights giving the terrified passengers the ability to stay calm. Not one of the people who was called by a loved one on one of the hijacked planes mentioned that passengers were panicked, nor was there any screaming in the background. And on one of the flights, God gave strength to the passengers to overcome the hijackers.
God was also busy creating obstacles to prevent people who worked in the WTC from getting to work on time. The work day had begun, more than 50,000 people worked in the two towers, yet only 20,000 were at their desks. On that beautiful morning, God created scores of unexpected traffic delays, subway delays, and commuter train delays. A PATH train packed with commuters was stopped at a signal just short of the WTC and was able to return to Jersey City. And far more meetings were scheduled elsewhere than was usual.
God held up each of the two mighty towers for a half hour so that the people on the lower floors could get out. And when He finally let go, He caused the towers to fall inward rather than to topple over, which would have killed so many more people. The foundations of six surrounding buildings were demolished by the fall of the towers, but God held them up for many hours until all the occupants were safely evacuated.
And when the WTC and Pentagon buildings went down, my God picked up almost 3,500 of His children and carried them to their home for all eternity. He also sat down and cried that 19 of His children could have so much hate in their hearts, that they did not choose him, but another god that doesn’t exist, and now they are lost forever.
He sent people trained in dealing with earthly disasters to save those that were injured. And he sent in thousands of others to help in any way they were needed. And He brought people together across the world in a way that moved thousands to tears and hundreds of thousands to prayer—and caused millions to turn to the one true living God.
He still isn’t finished. Every day He comforts those who lost loved ones. He is encouraging others to reach out to those who don’t know Him or believe in Him. He is giving the leaders of our great nation the strength and conviction to do the right thing, to follow His will, not a popular poll.
So if anyone ever asks, “Where was your God on 9/11?” you can say, “He was everywhere! And, in fact, he is everywhere today and every day.” Without a doubt, this was the worst catastrophe most of us have ever seen. I can’t imagine getting through such a difficult time without God at my side. Without God, life would be hopeless.
As my co-worker read this excerpt to me this afternoon, I cried as I listened. This is entirely focused on 9/11, but I could testify to this so deeply! My tragedy was miscarrying my son at 17 weeks pregnant. My heart broke on July 2, 2018. My question would have been, “Where was God on 7/2/18?” To which my answer would have to be:
God was in the prayers our house guests/friends prayed over us as we headed to the emergency room.
God was in the green lights and clear roads getting us to the hospital in 6 minutes.
God was in the security in my heart knowing He would take care of me.
God was in Emergency Room #34 giving strength and wisdom to my husband empowering him to keeping my focus on breathing.
God shined through as the Creator of my body as I delivered my son and the placenta without harm to my body.
God was in the favor I received from the on-call ObGyn, being moved to Labor & Delivery when supposed policy was that was for women at least 20 weeks pregnant.
God was in the kindness and love of the nurses and staff that cared for my son and for me as I began grieving his loss while they treated him as any other baby that has had few breaths on Earth or breathed their first in Heaven.
God was in the love of our house guests and Life Group and friends and family and co-workers.
God’s been the provision for bills.
God’s been the creator of dreams in my husband’s heart since Zadok was born.
God was there! God has been beside me all along. See, friends, unfortunately bad things happen. Matthew 5:45b says, “For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” We are all susceptible to experiencing hardship and tragedy. Unfortunately, when Adam and Eve decided to forfeit living and dwelling in the constant presence of God, sin and death and evil entered the world and hello! free will. God is not this far removed being using people as chess pieces in a game called Life. What I have found incredible about God is that, yes, He has allowed me to experience tragedy—and for purpose, not just for the sake of a life limp and a sob story—but He doesn’t just stay in the Heavens on a cloud watching me struggle! “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” is what Psalm 34:18 says and that’s where He was! The next verse says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” That says to me, I am not exempt. Even those who love and believe and serve and worship Him with their lives are not exempt, but neither are they stuck. Neither are they alone. Neither are left to wallow in weakness and despair and discouragement. BUT…
Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He is my rest.
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” When I am anxious, I can give Him my anxiety and find peace in knowing He cares about me and whatever I’m anxious about.
Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” I am not alone in my weakness, but while I’m feeling down and out and at my weakest, He has sent Holy Spirit to be near and intercede on my behalf.
2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” He continually gives me the grace in the midst of my tragedy (in life, not just in tragedy) then gives me His power to be my strength when, in myself, I am weak.
Nehemiah 8:10b says, “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So in my weakness, His strength is made perfect. And His joy is my strength! He is the unexplainable joy in the midst of tragedy.
God is not just aware of tragedy and He is not making tragedy happen, but where He is is right in the middle of it! He is my strength to wake up. He is my hope to look toward the future and believe that His promises are still true. He is my oxygen that wakes me up in the morning. He is my joy and light to shine through darkness.
Friends, whatever tragedy you are going through, whatever you have been through, whatever lies ahead of you, God doesn’t want to be your great uncle twice removed. No! He wants to be in the midst of it with you to endure, to comfort you on the sad days, bring peace to your internal chaos, to give you the courage to get out of bed, to hold and carry you on the hardest days, and to encourage you to keep moving forward. That you have a life to still live with purpose. Invite Him along as you adventure on.
“The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”
Psalm 28:7
To all those who lost loved ones and will forever hold their memory in your heart,
May God always be near to your heart, giving you the courage to live.
He’s not far, no, He’s in the midst.
Always remember. Never forget. September 11, 2001.