Tuesday, September 11, 2012

9/11, 11 years later

"dude, wake up...someone's bombing the east coast...the whole coast is on fire."

i was a freshman at the university of northern colorado when my roommate woke me up. i rushed into the living room and sat in front of the TV in awe. i watched the second tower collapse. i watched flames engulf the pentagon. i watched people jumping out of windows.

it was insane.

i was a bit worried because half my family lives on the east coast. fortunately, they were all okay.

photo via
i went to class and my sociology professor dismissed us early. she told us to watch the news because 9/11 was going to the change the course of history. that was an understatement.

i drove to the gas station and waited in the 30 minute line because the media was certain that our oil supply would be cut off.

i went to a candle light vigil that night on campus. it was powerful. i cried.

i went to church for the first time in a long time that weekend. i was scared.

it was one of the first times i came face to face with this cold, hard fact: life is short. it can end at any time. and most of the time, we never know when death will come.

that's a bit scary if i'm honest.

today, i find hope in this simple, yet profound, verse from the message translation of the bible:

"the things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. but the things we can't see now will last forever." -2 corinthians 4:18

we all die. we can spend our life chasing houses, wealth, status, cars, looks, relationships...but they'll be gone the day we die. gone. forever.

yet, we can find hope in this: heaven, jesus, and eternity await us on the other side.

may we all take a moment to reflect today on the senseless tragedy of 9/11 and the loss of life. but may we also take a moment to reflect on our own life today...and the things we're living for...let's not waste the lesson of 9/11.

6 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed reading your blog. 9/11 is always a reminder to me of how God changed my life forever. I will always think back to where I was when that day happened and it is not a happy thought, however like I said it is a reminder to me that God makes all things new and I am so thankful. Life Is but a vapor and we should make every minute count.

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  2. What a crazy day that was. I used to pastor in Greeley and know the UNC campus very well. That day I was in Denver and was awoken by my 10 year old son. His exact words were, "Dad a terrorist thing is going on". When I saw the second tower going down I looked at him and knew that his world would never be the same again.
    God Bless,
    J

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    1. thanks for following johnny...you're right, the world will never be the same. much love to you.

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  3. Thanks for sharing that Dan! It is so crazy how vividly we all remember that day.... I remember praying for America and scared for the unknown. But then you think past this world and the Known future that we have! Love ya!

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    1. thanks rachael! (and glad you could figure out comments ;)

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