This morning I watched video clips from the terrorist attacks that occurred 13 years ago today. All of my emotions from that day came to the surface - fear, disbelief, confusion, sadness. Like most people, I remember vividly the events of that otherwise beautiful Tuesday morning. I remember not understanding why there was only one Twin Tower on my TV screen. I remember watching the second tower fall. I remember my husband saying that we had just witnessed thousands of people dying. I remember that the circus was coming in town that morning by way of the train located outside our window in our downtown apartment. I watched in a fog as elephants, camels, horses, llamas, and other assorted animals walked down Riverside Drive as they got off the train. My brain could not reconcile the fun of circus animals walking down my street and the horror going on in my nation.
In one of the videos I watched this morning from September 11, 2001 a firefighter was being interviewed right after one of the Twin Towers fell. He was covered in sot, out of breath, and clearly in shock. The reporter asked him how he managed to get out alive. His answer was "I just went towards the light." I just went towards the light. In the middle of death and destruction, I went towards the light. When darkness surrounded me and all hope seemed lost, I went towards the light.
Yes, the firefighter was talking about a physical light, but can you see how easy it is to turn this sentiment into a spiritual lesson? However, be careful that you know exactly what, and Who, is this light. The Light is not just good feelings, good intentions, or basic goodness. The Light is not a passionate belief in a god watching out for you. The Light is not the love of friends and family. There is but one Light in this world. He has a name. He is the only hope for which we can go, the only salvation from which to be saved, and the only giver of meaning in this world. There is no comparison or equal. When fear takes over, when doubt starts to grow, when trouble comes your way... go towards the Light. I must remind myself daily of this truth. One day I will meet this Light face to face, but until then I'm only passing through...
In one of the videos I watched this morning from September 11, 2001 a firefighter was being interviewed right after one of the Twin Towers fell. He was covered in sot, out of breath, and clearly in shock. The reporter asked him how he managed to get out alive. His answer was "I just went towards the light." I just went towards the light. In the middle of death and destruction, I went towards the light. When darkness surrounded me and all hope seemed lost, I went towards the light.
Yes, the firefighter was talking about a physical light, but can you see how easy it is to turn this sentiment into a spiritual lesson? However, be careful that you know exactly what, and Who, is this light. The Light is not just good feelings, good intentions, or basic goodness. The Light is not a passionate belief in a god watching out for you. The Light is not the love of friends and family. There is but one Light in this world. He has a name. He is the only hope for which we can go, the only salvation from which to be saved, and the only giver of meaning in this world. There is no comparison or equal. When fear takes over, when doubt starts to grow, when trouble comes your way... go towards the Light. I must remind myself daily of this truth. One day I will meet this Light face to face, but until then I'm only passing through...
"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 8:12
Copyright © Rachel D. Butler and Only Passing Through. All Rights Reserved.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California. All rights reserved.
Photo credit Rachel D. Butler
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