Shortly after the attack on the Twin Towers in New York, I was asked to be a guest on a local radio station. My invitation to take part in the interview was due to a recent conversation I had with the husband of the radio host. I discussed the vulnerability of Reagan National Airport, located a short distance from Washington, D.C. During the interview, I highlighted the vulnerability of that airport and other issues that simple logic would reveal.

After the attack on 9/11, our nation was nervous and on guard, like we are today after the bombing of the nuclear facilities in Iran. My interview invitation was bolstered by the time I spent as a police officer, serving as an Investigator in an Organized Crime unit. In that unit, we would study and determine the next move of those involved in organized crime groups. It’s not brain surgery. Most of our determinations were based on logic and were not wrapped up in emotion.

The Sunday after my radio interview, our Church was packed to overflowing. We had to set up extra chairs in our lobby. We provided a remote feed to broadcast our service in our lobby. This overflowing happened in both of our services.

Like we did each Sunday, we gathered for worship and the study of God’s word. Aside from acknowledging the trauma of that day in my introduction, we did not alter our purpose or focus. The following Sunday, after the new attendees did not hear a political speech that confirmed their opinions, they did not return. It bore a resemblance to something Billy Graham had mentioned years before about national tragedies. People will flood our churches immediately after the tragedy, but they will return to their previous way of living the following week.

The Church stands in a unique place after a national tragedy occurs or when we are at war with another nation. We have a choice to focus on either the kingdoms of this world or the Kingdom of God.

Jesus told His disciples, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). He was pointing out a unique and vital distinction we need to make. The kingdoms of this world cannot reveal Jesus. Only the Kingdom of God can bring that revelation. While we should be aware of what is happening in our world, our direction for living our lives must come from Jesus, not from our fear of what we see unfolding or the raging discourses that attempt to define the reason for such events.

Be at peace. Jesus is on His throne, and He knows what He is doing, even as the world is living in turmoil.