Life Is Fragile

Now that we are coming to another anniversary of the infamous 911 tragedy, I find myself revisiting my own feelings of disbelief and dismay that tragic morning of September 11, 2001.

I would barely be getting through my front door each day after work, before my hand started reaching for the television remote, wanting to know how in the world were we ever going to survive the holocaust that was unfolding. Sadly, the news only seemed to worsen. I would sit almost in a stupor, as report after report unfolded circumstances of the worst case scenarios.

I found myself whispering “Oh God” a lot. Immediately I began to think of just how fragile our lives are and how meaningful the words “But for the grace of God, go I” had become to me.

Sometimes I couldn’t even put together the right words to pray adequately for all the desperate scenes that were playing out before my eyes. I remember hearing the voice of the Lord whisper, ”Will you trust me…even when everything around you seems to be falling apart?”  

And isn’t that truly where the hard lessons of faith are forged out? Where the rubber meets the road?  When we can’t make sense of anything, when human suffering is at it’s pinnacle and everything in us wants to loudly scream “Where are you God?” 

The only thing I know is that no matter how dismal and devastated our country seemed at the time, God was, and is faithful. In his perfect timing, He turns our brothers' and sisters' “ashes into beauty,” for those who put their trust in Him. Our hearts must somehow grab hold of even just a glimmer of hope, a mustard seed of faith ... is all that is needed in order to bring us into a much needed place of rest.

I speak from experience when I say, “I know in whom I believe!”  Our Redeemer lives! I know this because I spoke to Him this morning. Yes, He is as close as a whisper and as present as our own breath. The truth is, He never leaves us, and He is always there with us, especially during those times when we are forced to walk through the fires and tribulations of our lives.

It is for certain, that we know not what a day may bring (Prov. 27:1).  But we do know who holds tomorrow.

The psalmist says in Psalm 116:1-6 (NIV):                  

"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord. “Lord, save me!” The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me."

Copyright © Missey Butler, used with permission.