It’s been 25 years since September 11, 2001 – the worst terrorist attack in US history. After all this time I still remember what happened that day at our home in suburban PA. My 3-year-old and I were going about our usual morning routine. I was also 8 months pregnant and already feeling hot and tired. My husband called to tell me that during his drive in to work he heard alarming reports on the radio about the World Trade Center. I turned on the television and quickly discovered that all normal programming had been interrupted by emergency reporting; every station was broadcasting live coverage.
I tried my best to describe the scene: we learned that a plane had crashed into one of the twin towers, which was burning at the point of impact high up in the building. The news coverage suggested potential hijacked planes and terrorism, but little was confirmed at that point. It was scary, but we could do little except get on with our day. I found it very hard to look away from the riveting coverage and saw another plane hit the second tower. It was shocking: more fire, smoke, chaos, panic; everything seemed so surreal. Then the horror when the first tower collapsed. I grabbed the phone and called my husband back immediately, crying. He didn’t believe me at first, because quite frankly, it was unbelievable.
Our child was supposed to attend her very first day of preschool later in the afternoon and I tried to keep things as normal as possible for her sake. As the day wore on, we learned about flights being cancelled, road closures, security measures and the general chaos unfolding. I called the preschool to see if classes were cancelled but was surprised to hear they were being held as planned. Needless to say, it was concerning to leave her in that new and unfamiliar environment on such a worrisome day, but I trusted it was best for her at that time to enjoy fun activities with other kids. In hindsight it was a bright spot on an otherwise very harrowing day.
Since that tragic day, I’ve often wondered why God would allow it all to happen. There is so much evil and suffering everywhere; why does God allow any of it? This is a topic that I struggle with; it’s difficult to reconcile a loving, all-knowing God with such a broken world. I doubt we will ever understand God’s plans this side of eternity, but I do take comfort in knowing that He is sovereign and working all things together for good: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, NIV).
The apostle Paul offers some encouraging words in 2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV): “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison”. One could argue that Paul is guilty of understatement here, because describing this world’s pain and hardship as “light and momentary affliction” seems quite out of touch with reality. Dare I say that if our experience in Heaven is going to soften the horrors of 9/11, well that is indeed far beyond my comprehension. But Paul is speaking as someone who was very well acquainted with suffering. He was imprisoned, beaten, whipped, stoned, shipwrecked, struggled with hunger, thirst, exposure, sleeplessness and anxiety and was often near death (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
Paul chose contrasting words to illustrate his point: light and momentary vs eternal weight. They highlight the difference between our current struggles vs. our future eternal glory in Heaven as followers of Christ. Our present afflictions are fleeting, limited and relatively insignificant in comparison to the future glory that we will inherit, which will be an overwhelming experience of permanent, everlasting and immeasurable value.
Some commentary by Ligonier Ministries explains ‘weight of glory’: “But when we speak of glory as having to do with weight or heaviness, what exactly do we mean? Essentially, we are talking about worth or value. Things of value are often measured by their weight, for example, precious gemstones such as diamonds. Scripture often speaks of the weight of precious metals when it is talking about prices or trying to measure generosity and wealth (Gen. 23:16; 24:22). So, glory and worth are correlative concepts. God has a glory that surpasses the glory of anything else in existence because He is of infinite value and worth.”
What awaits us in Heaven with the Lord is so wonderful that it is beyond our comprehension. Our current suffering pales in comparison and is merely a brief, temporary blip on the radar in light of a timeless eternity. Compared to eternity in Heaven, our present affliction is insignificant, because our future glory is invaluable. For more perspective, consider this commentary by David Guzik of Enduring Word, “Yes, our affliction is light! Our affliction is light compared to what others suffer. Our affliction is light compared to what we deserve. Our affliction is light compared to what Jesus suffered for us. Our affliction is light compared to the blessings we enjoy. Our affliction is light as we experience the sustaining power of God’s grace. Our affliction is light when we see the glory that it leads to.”
Paul goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV) “…as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” As Guzik points out, “When we look at the things which are seen, all we see is our light affliction, and then it doesn’t seem very light! But when we look at the things which are not seen, then we see and appreciate the eternal weight of glory.”
Heavenly Father, please help us keep our hope in Jesus and our eternal perspective. Amen.
“To please God…to be a real ingredient in the Divine happiness…to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in, as an artist delights in his work or a father in a son—it seems impossible, a weight or burden of glory which our thoughts can hardly sustain. But so it is.” -C.S. Lewis
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