Where was I on September 11th, 2001? I was milking cows in Wisconsin. After we were done with morning chores, I went up to my house to have breakfast, like usual. But unlike usual, I happened to turn on the TV set in the living room. The first words I heard were “America is under attack.” That got my attention, fast, and the rest is history. It was an emotional time for me and for the people where we lived, far removed from the scenes of attack. Where were you on September 11?
There were as many as 40,000 people in the World Trade Center towers and in the Pentagon, ground zero, on the morning of September 11. They, no doubt, had more than a television presence and historical memory. For them, it was a real-life and eye-witness experience and tragedy. More than 6,000 of these were injured at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon to various degrees. For them, it was more than an eye-witness tragedy, it was a struggle to survive and heal from the vicious assault. And, finally, there were 2,977 men and women who were too close to the impact, to the explosions, and to the catastrophe of that day. There were 2,977 who would never work another day, never talk to their friends, and never embrace their family again. For these 2,977, September 11 was not a tragic memory or a struggle to survive. For them, it was their day to die and enter eternity.
For those of us who survived, no matter how near or far away from ground zero and for those of you who were born since that fateful day, 25 years ago, September 11 stands as a powerful reminder of how life makes that final transition to eternity so secretly, so suddenly and so tragically. But the important question at death is not where you will be on that specific day that death knocks on your door. What really matters is where you will be for eternity. When you die, will you be granted eternal life in heaven, or will you be punished with ongoing death in the fires of hell forever?
Where will I be? I do not know where I will be on the day that I die. But I do know, 100% for sure, that I will be in heaven, living with Jesus forever because I trusted Him as my Savior. Where will you be?
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31