“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:4-5
We were in the car, on our way to work. Aimee and I had only been married for five months. We were both on staff at the First United Methodist Church of Altus. We decided to grab breakfast that morning at McDonald’s. As we were waiting in line, waiting for our food, we heard the people on the radio talking. One person said, “It looks like something has happened at the World Trade Towers. We are not sure what, but it looks like a bomb or something.” That was, of course, the first thing we heard about the first plane that had hit Tower 1 of the World Trade Center in New York.
By the time we arrived at work, it was clear that something awful had happened. Shortly after the first plane hit Tower 1, another plane had struck Tower 2, and we knew this was more than a terrible accident. For the rest of the day, our eyes were on the only TV in the church that got cable. We watched as the world turned upside down.
Throughout that day, the phone rang for various reasons at the church. Mostly, people wanted to know if the church would be gathering. We were scared, worried, and no one knew what terrible thing would possibly happen next.
As I think back on that horrible day, 20 years ago, I realize how so much has changed because of those acts of terror when four flights were hijacked. However, I also remember how so many turned to the church on 9/11. It was in our darkest moment that we looked to God for light and hope.
The promise of our faith comes to life in the most difficult moments. When we experience tragedy and pain, we turn to God and to our family of faith. When we do this, we find hope and help in our time of need. The Disciple John understood this and stated it clearly as he opened his Gospel. He reminds us that on days like today, when we cannot forget the tragedy that changed our world, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” 20 years later, I remember that in our darkest moment, God was with us and there is nowhere we can go where God’s light does not still shine.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
