In a few days from today, the world will be marking the 24th anniversary of 9/11. Precisely on September 11, 2001, hijackers financed by the al-Qaeda terrorist organization led by Osama bin Laden flew into the twin towers in New York. Ostensibly, they were acting in retaliation for America’s support of Israel and its continued military presence in the Middle East. By the time the dust settled, a total of 2,996 persons had died, including the 19 terrorists themselves, representing 78 different countries. The ripple effect of this earth-shaking event continues till date. Apart from turning routine security checks at airports to a gruelling experience, it also marked the beginning of several other terrorist activities around the world.

training is essential for any major accomplishment…If believers will be committed to the course of the gospel as these men faced their mission, we will hasten the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth.

In a sense of reverse logic, the hijackers can teach us a couple of things about mission. Firstly, training is essential for any major accomplishment. The hijackers had a mission, and they trained for it. Some of them had trained for about a year on how to fly commercial planes before the hijack. Secondly, they conquered the fear of death. They knew they would die in the course of their mission, but they went for it nevertheless. When people have such compelling mission that passes the threshold of death, they end up doing significant things – for good or evil. If believers will be committed to the course of the gospel as these men faced their mission, we will hasten the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth.