That’s the question on a lot of minds on a day like today.
And I understand that question. There are many events in my own life I’ve wondered where God was.
It was a day none of us will forget for so many reasons. The day quickly became dark and tragic, but there were also more acts of heroism that day, of light in the darkness, than we will ever fully know.
Like 24-year-old Welles Crowther, who called his mother from the South Tower to let her know he was okay, and then began to lead others to safety, carrying an injured woman on his back down 15 floors, and then returning to help more.
And Rick Rescorla, who, as a head of security in the South Tower, ignored orders to keep employees at their desks, saving 2700 people.
And Army Specialist Beau Doboszenski, who was working as a tour guide on the other side of the Pentagon. Upon hearing the chaos, he ran to the crash site and spent the next several hours helping co-workers and running into the flames to help bring people out.
These acts of heroism are amazing enough, but looking at their backstories, we can see just a little bit of the hand of God orchestrating the saving of so many lives.
Like the fact that Welles Crowther had been a volunteer firefighter in his teens, and was well prepared to confidently lead. Even the fact that somehow he had a red bandana with him that he wore, that was able to keep him from breathing in too much smoke as he saved at least 12 people. His body was found in a stairwell, headed back up with the jaws of life.
And like the fact that Rick Rescorla had served in Vietnam, with distinction, and had the wisdom to lead his people to safety. And for years he had the forethought to have the employees practice fire drills. Because of that, more than 2700 people made it down the tower to safety in 16 minutes. Rick Rescorla’s body was never found.
And like the fact that Beau Doboszenski was a former firefighter and a trained EMT.
Too many lives were lost that day. The enemy of all that is good and right and holy was there to cause death and destruction, and what he’d love to leave in his evil wake is a doubt and mistrust that God was there, or even that He exists.
But God is the one who prepared people years in advance with special training and placed them where they needed to be when they needed to be there.
God is the Giver of strength, courage, wisdom, and perseverance.
God is the one who instills in people His love, the greater love that lays down his life for others.
We’ll never fully understand the “whys” this side of heaven, about that fateful day, or about tragic days in our own personal lives.
But God knows.
Years later we can catch a small glimpse into the behind-the-scenes stories of that day, shining a light on some of the good, among countless other similar sacrificial stories, that took place among the evil, and about how God was there in their midst.
God sees the full picture. And we can trust He was there that day, giving strength to heroes, just as He’s with us every day, including our worst days, filling us with His strength, courage, and hope.
And someday, maybe God will show us all the behind-the-scenes stories of those awful days in our own lives, and how He was right there with us in the midst of it all.
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Cor. 13:12b
Heavenly Father, thank you for never leaving us or forsaking us. Thank you for preparing a home for us and giving us the hope of being with you someday, when you will have struck down evil for the last time, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. Thank you for the incredible bravery of so many men and women on that day, for giving what we know was even beyond their own strength . We pray for those who lost loved ones that day. We ask that you would be especially near to them today, and that you would comfort them with your peace that passes all understanding. We know that you will prevail, that you’ve already conquered evil at the cross, and we pray for many more souls to come to know Christ as their own Lord and Savior, even today. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.