Remembering 9/11: Where was God on Sept 11?

Sharing some thoughts that I wrote after the horric events of some four years ago (and also especially these days in the aftermath of the devastating hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico). Probably like so many of you "out there", I really wonder and get deeply saddenened at the state of the world today (being bitterly disappointed at some countries actions); however, all I can do is share some of my thoughts in faith that things WILL get better.

I was shattered since I heard the momentous and tragic news affecting the USA, and the entire world. What's the world coming to? Here on the other side of the world in "little placid New Zealand", we are mourning with your countrymen.

This article (slightly adapted) was written some time ago and is very different to my other ones. It's serious and "spiritual" and very personal. However, I thought I'd share, if it can help and encourage you good citizens of America - in your grieving and help us throughout the world to try to understand what cannot be understood.

WHERE IS/WAS GOD ON SEPT 11TH? TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD...

or

PERHAPS DOES EVERYTHING HAPPEN FOR A REASON???

In the amidst of the most unbelievable pain, it's natural to ponder the existence of a Higher Force or Supreme Being. Where was God and how did He allow this tragic and senseless act to happen? In these times of great trial, we may even doubt the existance of a "loving God" and in this questioning (I do too!) our faith can either "make or break us".

"Stuff", "real bad" stuff happens to us, as I believe there is a lot of 'chance' in life. Just as we were not created perfect, God, the Source of Life' did not create a perfect world (tornados, fault-lines, earthquakes, tsunamis and so on). Who knows WHY. Perhaps it just is! In addition, mortal man's nature has the potential for great cruelty to his fellow man. There are forces of both good and evil in the world and far more prevalent and powerful is the former, I truly believe.

I believe questioning WHY these things happen, is beyond our mere human comprehension. However, HOW we respond to disaster, tragedy, trauma and so on is paramount.

Even in the times of deepest tragedy, immense adversity and utmost sadness, I truly believe in the indominatable human spirit to find hidden reserves of strength. God is with each one of us and His* Spirit can weave something good.

• use whatever "gender" you wish for "Infinite Spirit".

It's just a matter of "hanging in by the fingernails, treating others with compassion and TRUSTING" with the hidden strength of character that we all have deep within us...and which is only severely tested in trials and tribulations. Like the 'pearl of great' price, which is produced by the great irritation of the oyster. This suffering breeds our great strength of character, which is within every one of us.

Hard times strengthen our courage and our faith, even if we can't see it at the time through our streaming tears. The important thing to remember is that we just have to "keep on keeping on" doing what we have to do", doing good, growing in the "very toughest times imaginable". Just doing the very best we can and struggling along. Sometimes our steps seem to be painfully slow, as I personally experienced for a LONG time. FAITH can keep us going all those long hard years in the deepest depths of the "emotional wilderness".

All we need is FAITH to keep going. So many miners gave up within inches of finding the gold in the seam of life. So "keep on keeping on" with faith that somehow things will work out for you and that you'll get through one day (or even one hour) at a time.

I have an absolute faith in God, a Power, Life Force, Something, a Power way beyond ourselves, Life, Spirit of the Universe, Higher Authority/Self , Infinite Intelligence, the Ultimate Source, Supreme Being, Our Creator, The Great Designer (whatever you wish to call God, The Universe), who understands our individual situations intimately and cares deeply about each one of us, "Children of God". God, the Universe is weeping too at the senseless actions of his children, causing so much tragedy to so many innocent men and women . Families being torn apart with the loss of so many loved ones. Because God gave these perpetrators, like EACH ONE OF US a choice - free will. To do good or evil... and they CHOSE evil (for whatever reasons). ...and all those people involved will be judged by God ("as you sow, ye shall reap").

Another thought, whilst on this theme...

I also believe that God, first helps those who help themselves. God, the Creator gives each one of us wisdom. He* may steer the course of our lives, but we have to take action and start peddling. It's a matter of individual CHOICE: whether to act on and live in faith or not. * or She/It or simply, Great Spirit.

Take ACTION , DOING YOUR VERY VERY BEST... AND TRUST GOD FOR THE OUTCOME.

"Trust in God, but keep rowing"

THINGS WILL WORK OUT FOR YOU - SOMEHOW, SOMEWHERE

God, the Source of our Spirit always gives us strength, HOPE and LOVE when we may think we have nothing left...and God, Life Force, Higher Self, the Universe, "Universal Consciousness", "Infinite Intelligence" wants what is best for us and for us to be fulfilled and happy by living a life of PURPOSE in fulfilling our individual gifts and talents. No matter what pain and suffering we are now experiencing, I know God is within each one of us and feels our anguish and is hurting even more at this senseless act of barbarism.

I believe the world will learn the harshest lesson from this tragedy. Out of the ashes of the World Trade Centre one day will rise the phoenix of a far better world - a far more compassionate one of brothers and sisters without borders. Hopefully, one day soon a world united in eradicating global terror. Perhaps a "global village" one day freed of terrorism.

The world will never be the same again....and all citizens are victims of this incident. However, the victims of September 11th are the "ordinary people living ordinary lives, who are the "real heroes you paid the ultimate price for this "brave new world" , this "ultimate dream". Our heart-felt thanks to you all for sacrifing your lives in making a better world for us all.

God Bless all the angels in the form of the firefighters, doctors and nurses and especially the citizens of New York. There was God, the Grand Designer of Life, to be seen at work through their (some soft and some hard) hands.

We are connected through our shared humanity; so we here are with you in spirit and salute you all.

Yours very sincerely

Craig Lock

http://www.craiglock.com

http://www.craiglockbooks.com

P.S:

I'll keep up my prayers that sanity and peace will ultimately prevail in the world.

Although we can't understand events, I feel God will bless you and your great country's "immense generosity of resolve and especially the Spirit of it's people. Justice will ultimately be done.

I am reminded of something Mahatma Gandhi's said not long before he was assassinated: "When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall. Think of it, ALWAYS."

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart And lean not on your own understanding."

Proverbs chapter 3; verse 5

A Psalm of David (Psalm 23)

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

"Past the seeker as he prayed came the crippled and the beggar and the beaten. And seeing them... he cried, 'Great God, how is it that a loving creator can see such things and yet do nothing about them?'... God said, 'I did do something. I made you."

• Sufi Teaching

Enough religion, or rather spiritualitity!

"There are many religions, but there is only ONE God."

LET THIS time of sadness BE YOUR FINEST HOUR, as amidst the tears, the courage, and especially the SPIRIT OF YOUR PEOPLE CAN OVERCOME absolutely ANYTHING!

"The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it." - George C. Scott

"The greatness of a nation consists not so much in the number of its people or the extent of its territory as in the extent and justice of its compassion."

• Inscription at the Horse Memorial in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, for horses killed in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).

and my favourite words of inspiration ...

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

You playing small does not serve the World. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to manifest the glory of God that is in us. It's not just within some of us. It's in everyone. When we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give to other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

• Marianne Williamson (and Nelson Mandela - my country's former President, whose "nobility and magnamous generosity of spirit" in reaching out to his former enemies, I admire so much)

My thoughts and prayers go out especially to the victims of the hurricane in New Orleans and surrounding areas.

Even in the darkest times, you are still walking towards the light.

May God Bless you, your families and America.

Craig

"Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire."

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin