The World Changed Today

The world changed today
it was captured on videotape
to be played and replayed
we cannot bear to look
we cannot turn away.

The world changed today
in an endless pile of steel and glass
and paper and plastic and wires
and fabric and concrete and flesh.

The world changed today
smoke and ash are visible from space
our skyline is forever altered
but our flag is still there

The world changed today
cowardice and courage met
the city’s finest lived up to their name
character is measured in sacrifice and service
never in suicide and murder.

The world changed today
evil did what it does
and so did good
will we ever feel as safe again
as we felt before this day.

The world changed today
millions cried and prayed together
hearts broke, heads spun, knees bent
fists clenched
then became hands again in prayer
And Jesus wept.

The world changed today
but the Word remains the same
the Word that creates
the Word that saves
God said "Let there be light"
and there was light
and God saw that it was good.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not overcome it.

The world changed today
the Word endures
We know that all things work together for good
for those who love the Lord.
We are convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor rulers,
nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The world changed today
there is a sadness that will not soon be lifted an outrage not easily extinguished
a resolve for justice tempered by profound respect for life
a longing for peace
a new birth of freedom
an awakening of faith.

The world changed today
I am changed
you are changed
our children are changed
forever
for the better somehow.

The world changed today
may God have mercy on us all.