In the Middle of it All

I just recently finished a book by Max Lucado, "The Next Door Savior." It has been quite an accomplishment to say I have finished a book, considering my passion for reading is up there with visiting the dentist. However, Max is gifted; not because he has written many books and been on the New York Times best selling list, but because he has gotten me to read at least three of his books, a feat no other author has done.

With all that said, one of the last chapters in the book spoke about a construction worker in New York City. On Sept 12th, 2001, he went to the war site that held the title World Trade Center, in hopes to find survivors. To his dismay, he found none, but more than several lifeless bodies. After punching through a corridor, he came across a wonderful and wondrous sight, a cross. There, in the middle of it all, a cross stood. The miracle was not the cross standing upright, but rather the upright piece and the cross piece were from two different buildings. The chaos of the collapse and fiery heat welded the two pieces together to be a point of hope in the midst of tragedy. At the foot of the cross, lay smaller crosses, of different shapes and sizes. The metaphor Mr. Lucado pulled from all of this, is in the middle of devastation and tragedy, Jesus is there. We ask where was God during the terrorist attacks? Right in the middle.

I read that chapter just before heading off to sleep. The time was was midnight, and at 5 am, I was to awake to prepare for a written exam and physical fitness test for my application process into Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. That night, I didn't sleep for more than 30 min at a time. I woke up more than 40 min before the alarm sounded and began to get dressed. My mind was racing about what the day would entail. Would I do alright on the exam? Am I strong enough to complete the tests in such a way as to stand out? Would I fail? Would this moment define my life for the better or worse?

I got into my car and began to make the 30 min drive to the department. The morning was still dark and cool. The thoughts were still racing until I looked up. On the mountain range to the west, an array of lights were placed in the shape of a cross. It didn't take long before the previous night's chapter came to mind. A calming spirit overtook my restless one as to say, "I'm here. I'm in the middle."

To complete the day, I succeeded in my tests. I did far more push ups than ever in my life, a significant amount of sit ups and a 1.5 mile run in a time I didn't think I was able to do. I also completed my written exam in a position earning me an interview this week.

My downcast thoughts weren't anywhere equivalent to the devastation of the WTC towers, but Jesus was there, no matter how trivial in comparison.