Faith-Crisis-Courage

The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. I Samuel 16:7b

History books are filled with world-changing events that forever alter the course of nations and peoples. 2026 marks the 25^th anniversary of one of those events, forever etched in the minds and hearts of those who witnessed evil on full display. On the morning of September 11, 2001, four planes ripped the façade of invulnerability from a nation. Yet for a brief moment, a nation turned to God for comfort, reassurance, and help. Churches were packed, prayers were offered, and people looked to God. Out of the rubble and ashes came stories of personal valor, compassion, and faith. We saw ordinary people who displayed extraordinary courage and character.

One of those was Rick Rescorla, Vice President of Corporate Security at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. in New York City. He understood his job well: to keep people safe. He assessed situations and identified vulnerabilities. He had led the evacuation in 1993, when a bomb exploded in the World Trade Center parking garage, leaving six people dead. Rick was determined this would not happen again, and for the next eight years, all 2,700 employees went through quarterly evacuation drills: no exceptions, no excuses.

Rescorla did not let up: practice, rework the plan, practice again. He heard all the jokes, complaints, and moaning, but it didn’t stop him. He wasn’t just running escape plans; he was conditioning their minds and bodies to react without thinking. Then came the morning of September 11, 2001. It started like any other day, until 8:46 AM, when American Airlines Flight 11 flew into the North Tower.

The South Tower PA system announced that everyone should stay calm and remain at their workstations. Perhaps it was Rescorla’s military background and war experience, but he ignored the announcement and quickly ordered an evacuation of all Morgan Stanley employees. He barked, “Everyone out, this is not a drill.” No one mocked the drill, complained, or hesitated that morning. At 9:03, the second plane hit the South Tower. Floor after floor of employees fled the building; some remember Rescorla’s calming voice singing “God Bless America” over a bullhorn. All but 13 of the 2,700 Morgan Stanley employees made it out alive. Rick Rescorla  would not leave until he made sure everyone was out when the South Tower collapsed on him.

“God compels us to go where we cannot see the way, and we say—‘I will wait till I get nearer the big crisis.’ If we do not do the running steadily in the little ways, we shall do nothing in the crisis.” Oswald Chambers understood that our faith does not happen at the moment of crisis but in the ordinary, common days of life.

Rescorla understood that you prepare not in the crisis but before it. He showed unwavering commitment to plan and practice what no one could imagine, so everyone would be ready when the crisis came. That’s the way of character. If we wait for character when the crisis comes, we will not be ready. Day-to-day trust in God builds the faith muscles to respond to whatever life brings.

“We imagine we would be all right if a big crisis arose; but the crisis will only reveal the stuff we are made of; it will not put anything into us… Crisis always reveals character. The private relationship of worshipping God is the great essential of fitness.” (Oswald Chambers)

Abraham Lincoln addressed the United States Congress on December 1, 1862, as the nation was divided by civil war. He addressed Congress one month before signing the Emancipation Proclamation into law. President Lincoln faced the perils of war with resolve, faith, and character. His final remarks that day laid the foundation for the nation’s future after the war:

“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew…. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation…We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of Earth.”

Character doesn’t develop in the midst of crisis; it’s nurtured by the small, seemingly meaningless actions that shape who we become. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

Character is defined by how we respond to a crisis. It is easy to run from a crisis, but often we are called to run toward it to help. 412 first responders died on September 11 when they were called to action. They could have mitigated their risk, but they chose to go where it was most dangerous.

Character didn’t just show up on that Tuesday morning for Welles Crowther. This 24-year-old equity trader put on his signature red bandana, which he had carried since childhood, and began guiding injured people to safety. He carried a badly wounded woman to safety, then went back into the building that took his life.

Character had long defined Todd Beamer before the crisis aboard United Flight 93 and his shout to his fellow passengers, “Let’s roll.” This Wheaton College graduate had lived a life grounded in faith and was ready. Classmate Mike Schauer said of Beamer, “He was heroic in small ways long before 9/11 happened. He was a mentor to a lot of us. And he had those characteristics that came out on 9/11 long before that moment.” (NBC Chicago News).

We remember 9/11 for the loss of life, the sacrifices made, and the empty seats in thousands of homes. Yet we also remember and share stories of valor, courage, and character. The next crisis will come for all of us, but the choices we make today will define us when it arrives. “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith…” (2 Peter 1:5-7)

God is great!