In the wake of the September 11 Day of Remembrance, a question I keep hearing all around the world is why? Why did God allow the attacks to happen?
It’s an honest question and an understandable one. I of course have been thinking about it as well, and it all basically comes back to the answer that most people are probably tired of hearing now… free will.
Now I know that it may sound like a canned-response or some kind of a cop-out, but the truth is, for 9-11, as well as the reason for all evil in the world is sin and free will.
If there was no free will in the world, there would be no true choice to love. For there to truly be a choice to love there must be a choice not to love. Sadly some people choose the latter of the two options.
People filled with hate and confusion caused the attacks on the eleventh of September, not God; though unfortunately some people take their anger and frustration out on Him, rather than to seek His help and love.
There’s never anything good about loss of life, but today as I listen to the stories of the survivors and the family members of the victims of 9-11, their stories are truly inspiring and the hand of God can be seen holding them in the midst of the event.
The way that I see God in 9-11 is that even through an attack filled with hate, to listen to the survivors as they proclaim that they held on and persisted and persevered, by thinking not of themselves but their families, that is true love – that is the love of God, that surpasses and ignores self for the sake of another.
Jesus showed that love for us when He willingly bore our sins in our place. When he could’ve gave up but pressed-on through unimaginable suffering so that we would no have to.
The heroes of flight 93 showed that same love, as they sacrificed themselves to spare others from further suffering.
That is how I see God in September 11th, not as a mean God judging America; nor as an absentee God who just doesn’t care… but as a helpful loving God who through in the midst of man-made tragedy, walks with the victims, and strengthens us by showing His mercy and love and who allows us to ultimately emerge stronger and more prepared or the future.
Our enemy would love to have us abandon our faith, and simply be bitter at God, but as we stay connected to Him, we will realize that He will strengthen us in our times of need.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Then shall you call upon me, and you shall go and pray unto me, and I will
hearken unto you.
And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.”
(Jeremiah 29:11-13)