“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

Twenty years ago, our nation experienced one of the darkest days in its history. America was brutally attacked by terrorists bent on evil, and many of us felt devastated. But, praise God, He was not devastated. He was not defeated.  And He showed once again that He does not let darkness have the last laugh.

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I remember the day very clearly. I was a recent college grad just weeks into a new staff assistant job working in the office of U.S. Senator Sam Brownback. As I readied the front office for the day, I remember turning on C-SPAN and noticing coverage of President George W. Bush’s visit to an elementary school in Florida. Suddenly, a fellow staffer popped in and told me to change the channel.

I could hardly believe my eyes. One of the towers of New York City’s World Trade Center appeared to be on fire. Smoke was billowing out of it. Had a plane malfunctioned and veered off course?

Then — on live television — the unmistakable shape of another plane hit the south tower. I stood there shocked. Could this be a second accident? I looked at a colleague and we both sensed the answer — no.

Soon there were rumors of other planes. And then a confirmed hit on the Pentagon. Could Capitol Hill be next?

Thankfully, amid confusion descending on the city, our chief of staff had the poise and discernment to break our team up into groups and to send us to predetermined locations away from the Hill. Together we were able to track the crisis and to make contact (despite overloaded phone systems) with loved ones around the country.

Then… the towers fell. First the south tower. Approximately a half-hour later, the north tower.

I will never forget those images. I will never forget the sound of fighter jets soaring overhead. And I will never forget the shock, the pain, and the fear of that day.

But I will also not forget the good. Even as darkness seemed to have its day, men and women in New York and at the Pentagon rushed TOWARDS danger — even likely death — to help others trapped and in need.

And I will be forever grateful to the passengers on Flight 93, the fourth hijacked jet. The rumors were true. The terrorists did indeed have designs to hit the U.S. Capitol. But the passengers decided to take the plane back, and after a struggle it crashed in a field in Pennsylvania only about 20 minutes flight-time from Washington, DC. Those passengers — including at least one couple with a Bible and prayer list — sacrificed themselves for others…quite possibly me.

In the days that followed many relief teams came from all over the country to help those directly impacted by the attacks. Soldiers, too, put themselves in harm’s way abroad to find and defang the terrorists. And people prayed. Churches were filled with individuals who wanted somehow to seek God and to beseech His guidance and protection.

Evil had not prevailed.

Now, 20 years later, may we reflect and seek the Lord anew. May the people of this land remember the darkness of 9-11 and the good that would not be squelched.

May we never forget.

Where were you on 9/11? Share your thoughts, and a prayer for our nation in the comments below!

Aaron Mercer is a Contributing Writer with two decades of experience in Washington, D.C.’s public policy arena.

(Anthony Fomin/Unsplash).