Time flies. I remember 9/11 like it was yesterday. I had arrived on church staff in Montgomery, Alabama, in March 2001, as Minister of Discipleship. On the morning of September 11, we had our first Tuesday morning men’s Bible study. 200 men at 6:00 a.m.! We met until 7:30, and I went to my office, turned on my computer, and soon received a news update via email.

One of those unforgettable days, a day when everyone remembers where they were: I was a senior in high school on November 22, 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated. I was working in the Air Force’s Space Command Headquarters on January 28, 1986, when Space Shuttle Challenger exploded. And now this.

I turn 80 this year, and these are the only such days in my lifetime, I think. Days characterized by:

• Unexpected
• Tragic (it’s bad news)
• Universal (it affects everyone, at least in the US)

The previous such day was probably Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

I should give thanks that I’ve experienced only three such days. I’m sure folks in other countries have a longer list.

And maybe we should think about the resurrection:

• Unexpected
• NOT tragic!
• Universal (except few knew about it!)

And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4.33, ESV)

Maybe we look to another day…

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24.29 – 31, ESV)