Interlock PrayerNet

THE DAY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING: September 11, 2001 by Larry Stout
I was in my office at Stockholm School of Economics in Riga finishing up my preparations for a counseling course at the Riga (now Baltic) Reformed Theological Seminary. It was almost 5:00 PM, September 11, 2001. Debbie was at a “Meet and Greet” reception at the US Embassy, and received a phone call from Olya who was at home. Our daughter had just heard on the radio that an airplane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. Amazingly, Debbie was the first person at the US Embassy in Riga to hear this news. She quickly relayed the info to the others at the embassy and called me at school. By the time I had turned on the BBC on the radio to see what had happened, the second plane had crashed into the World Trade Center, and it was quickly apparent that this was not simply a tragic airline accident.
Within minutes, I was getting visits and calls from many different people; some expressing regrets, others seeking additional information, and still others asking practical questions such as whether the counseling course would still be held. I don’t remember all the conversations or people I talked to – but I distinctly remember what I felt. I knew in my heart of hearts that this was a day that would change everything.
The initial reaction to 9-11 was absolutely astounding. Almost overnight, flowers and candles appeared in front of US Embassies all over the world, including Latvia’s. I had many, many students express sympathy to me about the tragic events of that horrible day.
I was touched, of course, but I did not want to focus on the past, but think of what would happen next. President Bush’s speech on September 20th was, in my opinion, one of the greatest of our generation. He charted a new course and I knew it was not going to be a popular one. Change is always difficult – especially in international relations.
The decision in 2002 to invade Afghanistan seemed logical given the haven that the government there had given to al-Qaida, but taking the War on Terror to Iraq in 2003 was where the rubber hit the road. I have written at length on this subject, and would rather not revisit all those arguments again.
Now, it seems a lifetime ago, but it has only been five short years since September 11, 2001. Nothing has been the same since that day. In my international travels, I have found hostility to the United States has definitely increased as a result of America’s response. Though it has not been a popular position to take, I have defended much of the foreign policy initiative of the Bush administration. I had a number of challenges for this when it has come up in my lectures, and I almost was rejected as the leadership coach for the World Bank director of Latvia because of this fact.
But I was not going to back down on my convictions. Something happened to me on September 11, 2001. I never wanted to see anything like that repeated – ever again. How do you go after such an elusive foe as al-Qaida? How do you distinguish between Muslims who use their faith for savage ends and those who use it for salvation? I knew it was not going to be easy or pretty – but it had to be done.
Unlike others, I do not lament the pre-911 days. Ignoring the attacks of our enemies did not discourage but enabled them. We shook our heads as Islamic terrorists tried to bring down the World Trade Center with car bombs in February of 1993. We breathed a sigh of relief in January 1995 when Operation Bojinka, an Islamist plot to bomb eleven US airlines over the Pacific Ocean, was discovered on a laptop computer in a Manila, Philippines apartment by authorities after a fire occurred in the apartment. We were angry in June of 1996 when trying to defend Saudi Arabia, nineteen US servicemen were killed and some 372 were wounded at the Khobar Towers bombing by Hezbollah. We were shocked as al-Qaida bombed US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in August of 1998, killing 225 people and injuring more than 4,000.
Apprehension about the new millennium grew as reports came in December of 1998 about a Muslim, Ahmed Ressam, who confessed to planning to bomb the Los Angeles International Airport as well as Jordanian authorities reports in the same month of 28 arrests of a plot to bomb American and Israeli tourists in Jordan – all part of a coordinated 2000 millenium attack.
We were amazed at the audicity of the terrorists to attack the USS The Sullivans in January of 2000, but despaired ten months later when they successful bombed the USS Cole with an explosive-laden speedboat, killing 17 US sailors and wounding 40, off the coast of Aden, Yemen.
September 11, 2001 was the last straw. It had to be. We had to wake up to the reality of the New World Order, which was not the one promised by President Bush 41 after the fall of communism. That was one we wanted to make. Instead, we inherited a New World Disorder that had been forced upon us.
It is not a pretty world or a better one since that day, I agree. Yet I look to the future with hope. I believe that justice and truth will ultimately prevail. The prophet Habakkuk also lived during a time when it seemed that the unjust were prevailing. Where was God in such an evil world, the prophet cried out in despair. The Lord answered him with a glorious promise, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (2:14). I believe this promise needs to ring with clarity for all of us today.
Perhaps in the decades ahead, we will look back at the events on September 11, 2001, as the beginning of the end of state-sponsored terrorism and religious-inspired death and destruction. Perhaps because of the dangers, men will turn their hearts to the only One who can truly give us peace. Perhaps God’s people should be praying with ever increasing fervency, Lord, may your kingdom come!