Where was God on 9-11?
Where was God?
This question was posted in a CNN chat room the evening of September 22, 2001, when the world changed forever. I asked our local ministers their response.
Rev. Leroy Allison, Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Carmi
“If there was any doubt there is evil in the world, it was shattered today.”
“It is easy for us to blame God for catastrophic events. It is easy, but it is also wrong. God doesn’t cause evil, but God does allow evil to exist. This was a risk that God took at creation when humans were endowed with free will, the freedom to choose good or evil. We are slow to give God credit for the good things of life, but all too quick to blame God for evil when it occurs. When bad things happen, we question God’s hand in it. What we fail to see is that God is at hand; providing strength, healing and hope for the future. God is with those who suffer, those who have lost loves ones, those who are in need.
“God works through the rescue workers, through friends and relatives, through medical personnel, through strangers who perform acts of mercy. God is present in the time of turmoil, to give the believer an inner confidence, an assurance that in the face of something so horribly wrong, that we find a sense of peace.
“Did God cause this terrible act of violence? In the face of the disaster, though, God is revealed to some.”
Rev. Jennifer Lewis, First Presbyterian Church, Carmi
I believe God was with us as we heard and responded to the horror of the day’s events. It is my opinion that God grieves with us as humanity commits atrocities, and suffers with all who suffer, and creates the urge in us to reshape and reform community out of smoke and shattered glass and rubble using the things that make for peace.
Nathan Chitwood & Greg Pelc, First Christian Church, Carmi
Where is God? God is in the same place He always has been, reigning in heaven. He is still in control. We can still trust in him. Regardless of the actions of his creation, God has not changed. He is not a God who is far off, but a God who is right here with us.
“God showed us his ultimate love for us by sending his son, Jesus, whose saving grace is available to all men, even those who, at the present, do evil. Not all accept this, like those who chose the evil we all horrifically witnessed yesterday.”
Evansville Minister
“The origin of evil is anger, anger which leads to hatred.”
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Trust your internal compass. One of my favorite guides is Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live by Martha Beck (Hardcover) (Kindle).
I have so many passages underlined in Finding Your Way Home: A Soul Survival Kit (Kindle) by Melody Beattie! It’s a keeper forever. Also try these from the same author: Playing it By Heart (Kindle) and Stop Being Mean to Yourself (Hardcover) (Kindle).
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