I was at a local retreat center praying with a group of pastors when the North Tower of the World Trade Center was struck at 8:46 a.m. Within minutes someone rolled a TV into the room and we sat in mesmerized horror, watching and wondering what it all meant. As we were silently taking in the events unfolding in Manhattan another plane crashed into the South Tower. I immediately stood and said to the pastors: “gentlemen, captains need to be on the bridge at times like these”, so we all packed our bags and headed to our respective churches. While I was driving to my church two additional planes were crashed in D.C. and Pennsylvania. Praying for wisdom as I walked into our offices, it came to me, “those who know little of God’s love and supremacy will live in a constant state of fear”. They unfortunately don’t understand that there are higher laws at work than our own. Lord, Your Sovereignty will always prevail. Though horror still unfolds before us, You deliver us from fear. Even in the worst of moments Your Sovereign Hand is on the wheel. You, the Captain of Our Souls, are always on the bridge.
A serious pursuit of godliness requires an equally serious renunciation of worldliness. Too often, we measure spirituality with false scales. While being wisely selective with our public vices we are less so with our private attitudes and perspectives. In reality, it is the thoughts and intents of the heart where the greatest battles must be waged; our actions will ultimately align with the condition of our hearts. Lord God, You know me inside out, You are not fooled by human facades. Plow my heart with Your Word and Spirit and leave nothing unturned. Refresh my inward man that I may outwardly glorify You in all places at all times.
Thank you for sharing. I was in a classroom when it was announced that all the Brevard County schools were to close. The staff of this small continuing ed school met, in shock, briefly before leaving and asked me to pray. The gist of what the Spirit gave me was: 'Jesus is still Lord. Go in peace."
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