10-Sep-01
Luke 21:9
When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.
This weekend we had the burdensome honor of commemorating the 15th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attack that killed thousands of Americans. We can nearly all recall where we were when we first heard the news that those two planes had struck New York's Twin Towers.
On Sunday morning, I was flipping through my old journals and paused on the entry dated September 10, 2001, just 24 hours before horror gripped our country. It was an otherwise ordinary day as I sat in my prayer chair reading Scripture and sending prayers of provision and protection for my family and friends.
As I was wrapping up my quiet time, I kept feeling that still, small voice of the Holy Spirit impressing upon me to meditate on Luke 21. I wrote it down, unsure what it meant. Again, I felt the prodding in my heart to open His word and read the chapter. Luke 21 isn't a well-known chapter in the Bible, and it wasn't one that I was immediately familiar with. It's a warning to God's people about the unrest and war coming on the nation, but also an encouragement that He is still overseeing it all and asks His people to not fear.
The next morning, of course, our nation was greeted with an act of terror so horrific and cruel, that we are all thrown into grief and dismay. Yet even in the middle of the tragedy and confusion, my heart stayed still, knowing that God had spoken to me the day before.
There is so much power in posturing your heart to hear from the Lord. He is always speaking to us, if we would just pause and listen. Additionally, there is great blessing in recording the ways He moves in our lives. I'm thankful for these old journals that I can flip back through and remind myself of His faithfulness.
Do you journal? Do you write down the ways He has blessed you and shown Himself faithful in your life? I'd love to hear about it!