Congratulations to Leah for winning Mandy Steward’s book, Angry Homemade Noodles! For those who didn’t win, you may purchase her book here. Stay tuned Monday for a free gift of encouragement. I hope it blesses you!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The golden rays cast against the morning sky beckoned remembrance. It was one of those sun-kissed mornings. Inhaling deep breath, exhaling the certainty that life is indeed beautiful. The splendor of the moment spawned a reflection of goodness surrounding life. While surveying the wellspring of blessing, an unexpected jolt stirred him.
Emptiness.
Unmistakable goodness settled in perfect arrangement on the surface. Yet, moments of heavier contemplation exposed rubble, debris and broken concrete. Suddenly, remnants of a foundation shaken overshadowed the beauty just pondered.
Remnants of purpose abandoned, love forsaken, fellowship broken.
Overhauling the ruins seemed an endeavor too daunting to succumb to, but mingled with the barren and broken was a beacon of hope.
Thoughts of gifts bestowed on his life were exchanged with a consuming, relentless force invading every thought, motivation and decision. Unsettled and captivated all the same, the only relief was to surrender. Surrender by kneeling down to excavate one jagged piece of concrete at a time.
Flurried, fleeting strokes on keyboard pierced the heaviness of his thoughts. No longer could he run or fight against His strength. From his fingers flowed the expression of relief and unabashed certainty.
“God has a calling on my life.”
Sujo John gave up the battle to taste of victory.
At 8:05 a.m. email was sent to his friend.
Knowing a deep change entered in, Sujo was soon caught up in the duties of the day.
Walking back to his desk, the unimaginable crashed down.
At 8:45 a.m. the building ferociously shook.
Explosion. Screaming. Confusion.
This unexpected jolt stirred terror and fear into the heart of every person around him. As debris, soot and smoke invaded the room, people stumbled over each other to descend down the 81 flights of stairs.
American Flight 11 had crashed into the building.
Image Credit: Associated Press via Yahoo
“We could see a huge crater below and above us. It was picture of twisted steel all around us with smoke and fire spreading fast...As we made our way to the lowest level it was an unbelievable sight. It was a picture of death and complete destruction. Fuselage from the plane that had crashed, burning materials, shattered glass and bodies all over the courtyard. It was a war zone.” – Sujo John
Making his way down, Sujo witnessed death force it’s way in with ruthless, calloused regard. In the face of brute force, he was compelled by vigor stronger than the apathy of destruction.
Peace.
Heaven is near.
It was time. No longer was he in the unstable building where life hung in the balance.
For a moment, time stood still. Sujo scanned the devastation, worried his wife had not escaped the second tower that jolted the earth. He issued a challenge to everyone huddled around. Reaching in with the undeniable Strength that entered in hours earlier, he yelled, “Call upon the name of Jesus and be saved.
Standing in three feet of debris, no boulders or rubble fell upon him. People desperately cried out, “Jesus!” Their life depended on Him. No hesitation, doubt or refuting the name. They simply cried out with all that was in them.
Exceeding power lies in the name of Jesus.
Twin towers collapsed, sending smoke, boulders and steel in the path of humanity but the name of our Lord Jesus Christ is a strong and mighty tower that will stand forever.
Sujo John not only rose from the ashes and concrete of the World Trade Center, he rose above the broken concrete of his own heart. Terrorists crashed in, but revival responded.
In Memoriam, September 11, 2001
We’ll study several names demonstrating God as a Strong Tower, Midgdal-Oz Shem Adonai, in the October RENOWN Online Bible Study Series. More details on the study can be viewed here. To subscribe, click here.
Disclaimer: I was inspired to write this after watching and reading Sujo’s story. In fictional prose, my intent was to capture the emptiness and renewed faith he experienced the morning of September 11. Learn more about Sujo John.
