2021-09 Meet Me in the Stairwell

This past Saturday, the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States was commemorated. Then and now, the same question is asked when tragedy strikes – where was God?

We featured a poignant song written on that fateful day entitled There Are No Words on our weekend post on our FaceBook Page. Many touching songs and poems have been written about that day; however, we will conclude our tribute to the event with what is the most famous poem about 9/11 written by Stacey Randall, titled Meet Me in the Stairwell (I Was There). It seeks to answer the question, “Where Was God?” As you read the words, consider not only the indisputable fact that GOD WAS THERE but think about whether you will be ready to meet Him in the stairwell of your final moments in this life.

Meet in the Stairwell (I Was There) by Stacey Randall

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news on September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke-filled room with a man who called his wife to say “Goodbye.” I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, “Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is okay . . . I am ready to go.”

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn’t coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. “I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!” I said. “Of course, I will show you the way home – only believe in Me now.”

I was at the base of the building with the priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Kansas, London. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name – though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn’t hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; “Come to Me – this way – take my hand.” Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

September 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are “ready to go.”

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

Of course, people will continue to ask, “Where was God and where is He now?” They will ask after every tragedy, from natural disasters or at the hands of the wicked. Know that He never left; He is in the same place that He has always been. Whether with Daniel in the lion’s den or Hurricane Ida or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego or wildfires. He is there in storms, in cancer, in the common cold, in lost jobs, in grief, in broken relationships and broken dreams. He is there in the stairwell of all of it. He is in the heart of each believer and knocking at the door of every non-believer’s heart. He tells us in Deuteronomy 31:8, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Should you feel guilty when you ask where He was and where He is? Should you feel unworthy? NO! You should feel His unconditional love and compassion. You should remember that our Lord and Savior, Jesus, asked a similar question on the cross when He cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Mark 15:34] Our Father did not leave Jesus and He will not leave you.

”Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” [Isaiah 55:6]