Growing up we saw images of important moments in history like Pearl Harbor and the devastation to American lives and to our collective psyche.

However, in 1945 people heard about the Japanese attack on our naval base on the radio, later seeing newsreels in movie theatres. We may have wondered what the people then must have thought and felt. 

19 years ago on today – September 11, 2001 – we lived through another traumatic national experience. This time, however, we lived it in real time. We saw the attack in real time. We saw people die in real time. And, when the towers each came down, our nation – and those who witnessed it – has never been the same.

9/11 scarred us. 

America came to a stop. 

Literally. 

We wondered if this was the totality of the attack on America or if more were coming. And we wondered how God could let such evil happen. 

I’m sure you remember exactly where you were that day and, when you think about it, you can describe your experience in vivid detail. Those emotional scars are there that never allow us to forget that day. 

Though the memories are painful, the pain reminds us to honor the lives lost. It reminds us that life is not meaningless, but purposeful, that life on this earth is of value and is meant to be valued and to love your neighbor as yourself. 

When evil strikes, God uses us to show others His love for them no matter if it’s the day of the trauma or – as is the case with 9/11 – nearly 20 years later. 

What we know to be true that the Bible teaches us and Jesus proved to us is that love conquers all. 

Hate and evil may win the day now and then but through the promise and hope of Jesus love can and will conquer all! We live with this hope and we abide in His promise – that even on the darkest of days we can cling to the light of Jesus. 

If you remember nothing else in times of darkness, remember this – Spoiler alert: God wins.

Our prayers are with every single family who lost someone that day, our nation, and the hearts of every woman and man across the world, that they would know Jesus and show the world His love.

We will never forget.