At 8:45 on Wednesday morning, September 12, 2001, in my neigborhood life looked pretty much like it did twenty-four hours earlier. I was heading to the office. The neigborhood was quiet. Two ladies were talking as they enjoyed a morning walk. A dove landed in the middle of the street. Most of the children were in school. Nothing appeared to be different. Appearances can be different.
Once I left my neighborhood it became obvious that life had changed dramatically. The radio stations were broadcasting reports from New York City and Washington D. C. News was on every station. The images were being permanently chiseled into our memory. Planes were not flying. Flags were flying. Hearts were breaking. We were watching as our lives changed.
The changes came quickly. In the span of an hour (“the twinkling of an eye”) life changed more than anyone could have imagined. We had seen an evidence of evil we never wanted to admit existed in the human heart. Dedication to a cause — a misguided cause — like none we had known. If we were not aware of the changes, the media constantly reminded us that “life as we know it has changed.”
Certainly much of life has changed. So many lives have been lost. Travel will be different. Our thinking must be different. Our understanding of people must be different. Some things need to change, and I pray they will. However, some things have not changed and never will.
God has not changed. He is still on the throne. He is still aware of all the human suffering that is taking place. We are overwhelmed by what we have seen in the last week. Can you imagine that God sees all that we have seen plus every other human being who has ever suffered, or ever will suffer? Yet, He remains God.
Our path to salvation has not changed. We are still able to go to the Father by way of the Son. He is still the Risen Lord. He is still the same loving Savior. He is still the One who died to save us from our sins. He is still sitting next to the Father speaking to Him on our behalf. He is still preparing a place for us.
Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Much has changed. Much more may change. Some things remain constant. Hold on to what is secure.
May you find security in Him,
— Tom
© 2001, Tom Norvell. Used by permission. A Norvell Note is a weekly email message from Tom Norvell. Check it out!
Title: "Life Has Changed"
Author: Tom Norvell
Publication Date: September 21, 2001
Life Has Changed
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