September 11 - Impact

"In the desert He was there
On the mountain He was there
In the valley deep He was there
Everywhere I look my God is there"
~ He Was There by David Crowder*Band

For a week or two I have thought about writing a tear-jerking memorial to the victims of 9/11 and to all of America - helping us all reflect on the impact of the events that happened ten years ago.

The truth is, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I've been in a funk today.

I have heard September 11, 2001 described as The Day that Rocked the World - and it rocked my world. It still does from time to time when I have short bursts of reflection about that day and the days following.

But today...like many days...the impact in my heart is slight at best. I am unattached. Unaffected. Unconcerned. I am just being real.

The lack of attachment, however, inspired me to write. Is this not like my connection to God on far too many days? If a terrible attack on a city 2,500 miles away can lead me to tears on some random Thursday, how much more should my heart leap at the presence of the God of the universe?

Yet, on days like today...I am unaware. Unmotivated. Unmoved.

But God is not. Or...should I say...God is. He is fully available in all situations at all times. He is not impacted by my funk, He is just present...always.

We have questions about 9/11. We have questions about any of life's tragedies. Why? How? Sometimes we whisper them in disbelief to each other. Sometimes we exhale them in prayer. Other times we scream them, from the tops of our lungs, at the heavens - demanding answers.

Other days we have no emotions. We just float through life impacted very little by the events around us and go to bed an hour early due to sheer boredom.

Regardless of the day...The Day that Rocked the World...or the day I went to bed early...God is ever present. He stands close and waits for us to seek Him. He comforts. He loves. "Everywhere I look my God is there."

¹³You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13