Reactions & Perspectives on Sept. 11

There seems to be very little good in light of recent tragic events. But buried deep within all this turmoil lies a greater sense of national unity-firemen, police officers, and volunteers working together to help out at ground zero; mass numbers of people donating blood, monetary funds, and endless hours to support the needy and the families of the victims; and churches across the country opening their doors and calling prayer meetings. Above all was the God-granted opportunity for Billy Graham to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nation. President Bush designated September 14 as the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, and on this day Billy Graham's message was aired on every major television broadcasting corporation and radio news station around the country and many parts of the world. What an opportunity for millions to hear the message of our Lord! In the wake of tragedy, people are confused, perhaps even disillusioned, and are searching for answers. May we pray that God will give us opportunities to meet and reach out to those who are seeking, and that God will give us the wisdom to speak the truth with words that encourage and console.

Raymond Ro

I was talking to a co-worker yesterday and she shared that she had gone to a prayer vigil in her township on Sunday. The township brought in the religious leaders of every religion you could imagine. She said there were even members of the Jane religion. I started to visualize all these women called Jane in their church or synagogue, worshipping The Jane. Although the image was rather comical, I realized that there are so many people in this world who actually believe in false, manmade gods. Then my friend shocked me when she commented, "There was a religion there that believes that all paths lead to god," and so whether Jewish, Mormon, Buddhist, or Janist, you will go to heaven as long as you believe. She said she wanted to get back to God to look into the Bahai religion.... It is amazing to me that although God promises to work everything for good and to His glory, the enemy is also using this tragedy to delude, confuse, and mislead a lot of people. I remember when I first started my job with the Attorney General's office I had so much of a burden to be a strong witness in the workplace. But as life became more complicated and my work became more stressful, I lost my motivation to affect my surroundings. Yesterday's conversation reminded me of my purpose. I truly believe that just like Joseph and Daniel, the people in our church have been called to bring God glory in a secular setting. I think the loss that we experienced last Tuesday will be a total loss if our lives are not changed even in a small way by it.

Hannah Lim

As that day unfolded my emotions evolved from shock, surprise, sadness for the victims and families, and later anger toward the terrorists. The question "why?" continually recurred in my thoughts. Later that evening, as I was meditating on the events of the morning, I began to picture the terrorists and the passengers. What was going through their minds the moment before they died? I could picture the terror in the eyes of the passengers, but as I imagined the faces of the terrorists themselves, I saw something else. It came to me, or should I say, I thought God was answering my question: He seemed to say it was all because of a lie.

What I saw in the terrorists and their actions was a desperate need for assurance, and I think that in their last moments of life they clung to the hope that by killing thousands of people in an act of murderous suicide, they were guaranteed a spot in heaven that very day. This lie is not unlike the lie that everyone in this world hears and that many trust -- the simple lie that through our own strength, action, or sacrifice, we can determine our own destiny. It was with this realization that my feelings toward the terrorists changed, from revenge and anger to a great sense of sadness. This sadness is what I believe God feels toward all who do not know Christ Jesus as their Savior, all who believe in the lie. My sadness was also mixed with guilt because I have failed my God in the midst of my self-focused life. I struggle and most times ignore the call God has placed on all who call Him Lord-the Great Commission. I pray that God reveals His heart to us, and that He gives us the strength not to ignore His great commission-for while we were sinners, He came to set us free from this lie.

Dave Suh

I guess when things like this happen, you have to share with people, be around others. I guess that's what it means to have a need to belong, to want to be a part of a community. Through all this, God's been revealing to me how fragile my life is, and the fact that I take things for granted, especially my family. Watching the daily news loops and listening in terrified fascination to the cell phone calls made from the hijacked planes or interviews of people searching for family members, the one phrase I kept hearing over and over from them was "I love you."

It has been a long time since I have told anyone in my family that I love them. I have a sister who works on Wall Street, and though she was not in actual physical danger from the WTC tragedy itself, I called her several times last week to see how she was doing. I needed to connect with her. Why is it that it takes something like this to remind me what really is important? When I am on my deathbed (at a good old age, I hope, surrounded by loved ones), I know that I am going to have many regrets. What I do not think I will say is, "I am sorry I do not have a bigger house" or "I regret not having a better job." What I will probably say is, "I am sorry I did not spend more time with you" and "I regret I did not say 'I love you' enough." I hope I take this lesson and reminder to heart.

Mark Kim