It blows my mind when I realize that the 9/11 attacks were so long ago now that there are adults today who weren’t even alive when it happened. I was in 7^th grade when 9/11 happened, and I have a 7^th grader now! While the events of that day were tragic, what stuck out to me most were the moments of heroism, selflessness, resilience, and unity that began to unfold that morning and in the days after. They were stories of hope that encouraged many during a time of significant grief.  

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There was Stephen Stiller, a firefighter who had just punched out for the day when he heard the scanners announce the towers had been hit. He drove as far as he could toward them, strapped on 60 lbs. of gear, and ran for 3.5 miles through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the towers. He then proceeded to save lives until he died in the collapse of the towers. There was Welles Crowther, who went back up to the high levels of the south tower multiple times and personally rescued nearly 20 confirmed people before the towers collapsed while he was inside. His family had no idea of the details of what had happened to him until stories started to get published about the “man in the red bandana.” Thanks to photo confirmation, survivors were able to share with his family how he had pulled injured people down multiple flights of stairs, leading groups of able-bodied individuals with a calm but firm demeanor. There was also all of Flight 93, who realized their plane was headed for more destruction and rose up to fight back. Their bravery prevented further tragedy. These are just three stories, but there were hundreds just like them.

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Stories like these remind us that even in the darkest days, light can break through. In the same way, as believers, we’re called to carry the Light – not just in tragedy, but in the everyday struggles around us. It’s dark out there, and every day there’s story after story on the news of how broken our world is. Every day, despair tries to overtake the vision of someone around us. Paul tells us in our key verse today that it’s possible for the God of hope to fill us with ALL joy and ALL peace as we believe so that we can OVERFLOW with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now THAT sounds like something that could make a radical impact in dark and hopeless places.

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The world’s solutions fall short in light of deep brokenness, loss, despair, addiction, and pain. Real hope that lasts has to come from the Lord. This doesn’t mean there won’t be sorrow, unfortunately. It DOES mean that even in the hard spaces, God can fill us with joy, peace, and hope to sustain us. If you saw someone drowning and had a flotation device, wouldn’t you throw it to them? Just like the first responders, neighbors, and strangers that ran toward the destruction on 9/11 so others could live, we need to run after those who still need Jesus and those who have Jesus but are in a season of struggle. If you have a relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit can and will equip you with radical joy, peace, and hope despite circumstances, if you let Him. In that way, you will become a bright light in the darkness that can lead others to the source you’re tapped in to. May the God of hope fill each of us today, not just so we can endure, but so we overflow with joy, peace, and hope in a hurting world.

Two questions for you today. First, how regularly do you share the hope of Christ with others? Our light is not best used when it’s only used in bright rooms. I’m speaking to myself here, too! If this isn’t a regular practice for you, ask yourself why. Are you afraid of the reactions? Do you feel unworthy/lacking in knowledge to do it well? Do you not have relationships that you’re developing with unbelievers to a level where you could speak into their lives? There are different discussions for each of these, and I would challenge you to not only answer the question, but flesh it out with a trusted friend, small group leader, or serve team coach.  

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Second, is there a person you need to check on? I can get so bogged down with my own life sometimes that I don’t reach out to that friend I haven’t seen around church in a while or that I know is walking through a difficult season. If that’s you, make time today to just shoot them a text or give them a call. It might make more difference than you know! But if you’re the one who’s in a hard season and you feel alone, I’m sorry it doesn’t feel like anyone is in it with you. Reach out to a friend, get real with your small group, or connect with someone you serve with at church and let them know what’s going on. You can also always connect with the prayer team during services so that someone can pray with you. We were built for community, and the ACF family wants to be that for you!