Published on 09/11/2006

Ninety-five percent of Americans remember where they were when the planes flew into the towers five years ago this morning. "The day that changed the world," many call it... And yet, in the midst of the grief and solemnity of this day, there is hope.

Commentary

They were built in 1972 (Tower One) and 1973 (Tower Two), at a cost of $400 million. Tower One stood 1,368 feet tall, Tower Two six feet less. Now they are a 16-acre, 70-foot hole in Lower Manhattan. Today's New York Times pictures the site and calls it a "vast gash in the ground." A hole in our souls.

Ninety-five percent of Americans remember where they were when the planes flew into the towers five years ago this morning. "The day that changed the world," many call it. Think how different things are because of that day--in Afghanistan, Iraq, London, Madrid, and America. Not a morning goes by that the "war on terror" does not make the news and impact us again. We now know that the Atlantic does not protect us from terrorism in Europe and the Middle East. We know that our tallest and strongest buildings are not strong enough to save us. We know that the mightiest military in human history is not powerful enough to stop 19 men bent on horror. In so many ways, it is 9-11 every day.

But in many ways, it always was. While 2819 were killed in the attacks of September 11, 5400 people died yesterday in America. The same number will die today, most from heart disease or cancer. Attacks in London and Madrid following 9-11 proved that suicide bombers are still the hardest criminals to stop. Violence in Israel and southern Lebanon reminded us that the Middle East is still a vitriolic and dangerous place. In significant ways, 9-11 did not change the world so much as it revealed it for what it is.

And yet, in the midst of the grief and solemnity of this day, there is hope. New York City will rebuild the site where the towers stood. For all the frustration and divisiveness of our military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is nonetheless true that the Taliban and al-Qaeda have been demonstrable weakened. A fledgling democracy in Iraq is slowly taking shape. Our airports and borders are safer than they were. Our nation has moved forward. In the words of President Bush, "Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America." Or of our souls.

God assures his people, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior" (Isaiah 43:2-3). Our Father never promises a day without floods and fire, a morning when our buildings are impervious to terror. Rather, he promises his presence in the midst of the worst pain our fallen world can inflict. On this solemn day, there is hope for the hole in our souls. Let's claim it today.