Ground Zero

America Under Attack” headlined the news after the infamous terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, an evil act of destruction that forever changed the New York City skyline in the United States. People around the world shuddered at the sight as the news replayed. The World Trade Center towers, which stood high above New York City, were reduced to ruins. The area became known as Ground Zero. Ground Zero was a scene of utter destruction: twisted metal, concrete, and glass turned into ashes by intense heat and pressure.

Images of survivors covered with dust and ashes running to escape the cloud of smoke and flaming debris played on repeat for days. Thousands lost their lives.

But Ground Zero also portrayed the heroic efforts of hundreds of emergency workers who risked their lives to save others and the response of thousands who donated blood and resources. That September evening, the pictures of people gathered on sidewalks with lit candles and waving the flag provided a touching display of the unity of a people who chose to rise above the tragic event. The memory remains vivid in my mind.

Today, where the devastation occurred, the 9/11 Memorial Plaza now stands. It is not only a reminder of the past but also the story of hope and the resilience of a nation. Each of us will go through a personal ground-zero experience.

Our faith will be sorely tried, our aspirations may be leveled to the ground, our ambitions shattered, and our dreams turned into ashes at a time when the forces of evil will inflict pain, sorrow, doubts, and fear. How will we respond? The experience can bring us to a spiritual revival of our faith in Jesus, who gave His life to save ours.

Our journey does not end at ground zero.

God will help us rise above our affliction.

Then our lives will be like a candle shining in a world filled with the darkness of evil—a beacon leading those without hope to a God of love.

Let us be steadfast! “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:4, NIV).

Evelyn Porteza Tabingo