Twenty years ago on September 11, I worked in a cubicle-divided office, starting an uneventful day. One of us, I think my boss, must have checked the news or perhaps got word from family that there had been an attack at the World Trade Center in New York City. I don’t remember that we were aware of the first plane hitting the tower while it was still considered an accident.
We went into the conference room and watched the live broadcast of the burning buildings. I think the second plane hit the tower, but I did not see it. I think I was unable to accept what was happening. Someone said the building would fall or could fall, and I remember saying, “No, that couldn’t happen.” Then it did.
I want to say that the boss sent us all home, but I don’t remember. I don’t remember how the rest of the day went. My children weren’t old enough to know what airplanes or New York City were, and I don’t remember if my wife knew anything about it before I got home.
It’s been 20 years since terrorists attacked New York City with hijacked planes. World News Group’s podcast, The World and Everything in It, has been talking about 9/11 and the Taliban all week. I recommend listening to each one of their 30 minute podcasts. Here are some highlights.
- A summary timeline of what happened that day
- Recommended reading for understanding the Taliban
- A NYFD widow pointing people to Christ
- Can America ever declare victory in the war on terror?
Are we safer now than we were before? With Afghanistan back in the hands of the Taliban, has anything changed? Yes. Many things have changed. Afghanistan is not the same country it was 20 years ago. We’re already seeing resistance to Taliban rule. Though some of our officials repeatedly try failed policies, thankfully they are not in ultimate control.
I think you and I would agree this battle is not primarily man-to-man. It is part of an ongoing spiritual battle. And Christians have never been more or less safe in the hands of the Almighty.
Glory to the Father!
Glory to the Son!
Glory to the Holy Ghost!
As it was in the beginning is now and every shall be, world without end. Amen.