Five Thousand Eight Hundred Two Score and Four Days ago, at Six O’Clock in the morning, the Eleventh Day of the Month of September of the Year Two Thousand and One, the King’s Son heard the sound of the alarm clock, swiftly got up and dashed to the restroom to get HimSelf ready to attend another worship band’s rehearsal, right before the Morning Chapel preceding the upcoming Tuesday morning’s lectures.
Among the functions and activities that He was responsible for and involved with, beyond being a full-time student in the Christian organization He chose to attend, with the intention to deepen His understanding and worldview of the Judeo-Christian faith and worship, the Young Man was also a part of the institution’s web development and technology team.
After the rehearsal and after playing for the Morning Chapel, for a reason that He couldn’t put into words, He felt compelled to skip the morning classes and go to His office, located in the main Headquarters across the street from the Main Auditorium. After a little while, from the office’s desk, He heard someone loudly verbalize, “We are being attacked! …” As He browsed the web to find information on what was happening, one of His friends ran into His office, panic-stricken and desperately saying, “We need to get out of here right now, a plane just flew into … and …” We all know the tragedy that took place in New York City on that September morning.
It was a moment when the King’s Son detected raw fear in the terrorized older friend’s eyes, as He was hearing words bathed in anxiety and overwhelmed with negativity. Simultaneously, Another Voice was projecting vibrations at a much Higher Frequency directly into the Son’s young and still forming Center … “Be Still!” He heard. When He opened His mouth, looking into His friend’s eyes and about to speak to the cowardice He was witnessing and hearing coming from His friend’s quivering lips, it was as if He was decoding, unpacking and simplifying an overloaded multidimensional message from the Source of His Self-Assurance, faster than the speed of light, “Listen, I’m not going anywhere, I ‘know’ I’m supposed to be right here at this very moment. You are letting fear get into the best part of you, your heart, and to overwhelm your senses. Do whatever you think you need to do. I’m staying exactly where I AM.” His friend left the office and He calmly proceeded to acquire more information regarding the events unfolding throughout that dark morning in the history of America and of the world.
Beyond the ‘Other Worldly’ messages that He was decoding from the Higher Dimension, He also had already planted and purposed in His heart the ‘reason’ why He had said an unreluctant ‘Yes!’ to the Higher Calling to be where He was during that season of His life, despite some challenges He would have to face, when He had left everything more or less familiar to Him in order to pursue His purpose.
“That’s exactly what the terrorists want! That’s one of the main things the enemies of our souls are trying to accomplish. That’s the reaction the adversaries of Freedom want from a free and prosperous Nation.” He pondered as He thought about how moved His friend had been by the news of the incident. Little did He know that His own faith would be tested very differently, later on in His journey, in ways He would least expect.
The Son of the King was learning to synchronize His Core to the Source of Life, the Creator, and to the broadcasting from the Kingdom of Heaven that is constantly in and around Him, at all times, regardless of Him being aware or unaware of Its Presence. He would eventually learn that the broadcasting is usually clearer or unclear, depending on the condition of His Heart. “Above all else …” said a Wiseman.
The Voice would link moments and experiences to words He learned as a child, such as words written by another Beloved Son of the Eternal-Father-King, “Those who trust in the Creator are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” King David, … and to Kingdom parables taught by another Son, from the lineage of King David, “… Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on The Rock …” King Christ
The King’s Son noticed that the sense of inner peace that transcends all understanding [ Phil 4:7 ] He was consciously aware of in HimSelf, in the middle of a chaotic situation, was the same He noticed two hundred and seventy-one days earlier, while on a flight from GRU [ São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport ] to IAH [ George Bush Intercontinental Airport. ] It was a very turbulent flight. At times, amid the abrupt movements and turns, as the pilot was navigating the aircraft through the storm and trying to keep it on course, it literally seemed like the aircraft was going to free-fall. One could see and sense fear in the passengers. In His calmness, the Son recalled another story He heard when He was younger.
It was the story of a kid in a terribly turbulent flight. While everyone was panicking inside the aircraft, the kid was enjoying the moment and playing with his toys. After being puzzled by the child’s fearlessness, an adult finally asked the kid, “Are you not afraid, kiddo?” “No!” exclaimed the boy. “Why not?” Asked the adult. “My father’s the pilot!” The adult was marveled over the child’s simple faith and unwavering trust in his father’s ability to be in control of the situation and to safely transport them to their destination. A clear example of how we can and should trust the Creator of the Universe, The Invisible King, in any and every circumstance.
The King’s Son, in His journey, was discovering a part of His inner-character that He would later find a close description to associate it with.
“Self-Assurance is similar to self-confidence. In the deepest part of you, you have faith in your strengths. You know that you are able — able to take risks, able to meet new challenges, able to stake claims, and, most important, able to deliver. But Self-Assurance is more than just self-confidence. Blessed with the theme of Self-Assurance, you have confidence not only in your abilities but in your judgment. When you look at the world, you know that your perspective is unique and distinct. And because no one sees exactly what you see, you know that no one can make your decisions for you. No one can tell you what to think. They can guide. They can suggest. But you alone have the authority to form conclusions, make decisions, and act. This authority, this final accountability for the living of your life, does not intimidate you. On the contrary, it feels natural to you. No matter what the situation, you seem to know what the right decision is. This theme lends you an aura of certainty. Unlike many, you are not easily swayed by someone else’s arguments, no matter how persuasive they may be. This Self-Assurance may be quiet or loud, depending on your other themes, but it is solid. It is strong. Like the keel of a ship, it withstands many different pressures and keeps you on your course.” Strengths Finder Theme | Source: http://www.gallup.com/businessjournal/712/SelfAssurance.aspx
Later on that same evening, after the New York incident, the Son of the King heard the speech delivered by another Son. The main words He clearly remembered from that speech, before revisiting it at another time, were words recited from one of King David’s Psalms, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.” King David | Psalm 23
September 11, 2001 | George W. Bush
Address to the Nation on the Terrorist Attacks
Good evening. Today our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and Federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.
The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our Nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed. Our country is strong.
A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.
Today our Nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescueworkers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our Government’s emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it’s prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, DC, to help with local rescue efforts.
Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.
The functions of our Government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.
The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I’ve directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.
I appreciate so very much the Members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.
America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.
Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.”
This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.
Thank you. Good night, and God bless America.
Citation: George W. Bush: “Address to the Nation on the Terrorist Attacks,” September 11, 2001. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=58057.
May the Eternal and Immortal King continue to bless and protect America and His own throughout the world, even when we walk through the death valleys we have to go through in our individual and collective journeys.
“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold — though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” Peter, Another Son.
We will always honor the heroes who were brave in the face of terror, as we remember the lives affected by evil.
Stay strong America, make the right choices as you are being refined and turned into gold!
.
Gelson Rocha