Survivor

April 19, 1995, stands as a day of infamy in the United States and in Oklahoma.

On that fateful day, a truck was parked in front of the Murrah Federal Building. It was filled with explosives, and the detonation rocked the entire city of Oklahoma City. As the smoke cleared, the Murrah building was destroyed. Every building in the area suffered extensive damage. Cars were mangled. The city and the country were left in shock.

As first responders rushed toward the building, the loss was devastating. A total of 168 souls perished that day, including 19 children in the building’s day care. Hundreds more were injured. The search and rescue operations continued for weeks. I once spoke with one of the first responders who had been there in those days, and he told me how the dogs became so discouraged because they weren’t finding any survivors. They took to hiding people in the rubble to encourage the dogs to keep working.

There are many amazing stories that have come out of the bombing, stories of people who should have been there but for some strange reason were not there at 9:02 am when the bomb went off. You hear the stories of the heroic acts of those who pulled others from the rubble. You hear the stories of the survivors who bear the scars–both physical and mental–of that day.

But one of my favorite stories? It’s the story of the Survivor Tree.

There on the grounds where the Murrah building once stood is a tree. An American elm tree. Somehow, on that fateful day in 1995, that tree survived the blast. Somehow, it remained standing.

It was dubbed the Survivor Tree.

Over the last 28 years, that tree has been carefully tended as a symbol of resilience, a symbol of those who managed to survive and build an amazing life despite the destruction they survived.

Since the bombing, the Oklahoma City National Memorial has chosen a number of organizations to receive a seedling from the Survivor Tree. In December 2017, my alma mater, Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), planted a seedling from the Survivor Tree. It stands in the midst of the campus with a plaque reminding students and visitors alike of its origins.

It stands as a reminder that we can do hard things, that we can survive and thrive even in the midst of the difficult seasons of life.

Last week, on April 19, the 28th anniversary of the bombing, OBU took a direct hit from a tornado. As the student body sheltered in the basement of Raley Chapel, the tornado ripped roofs from the chapel and other buildings, blew out windows across campus, tore gaping holes in the sides of buildings. Every building on campus suffered major damage, leaving many uninhabitable.

And yet, there in the midst of the destruction and devastation, there stands the survivor tree. Healthy. Untouched. A symbol of resilience in the midst of the chaos.

I find it absolutely fascinating–and inspiring–that this tree has survived. Perhaps it’s the genetics of the tree. Perhaps it’s the roots that go down deep into the soil.

No matter what, it is the grace of God. It is His reminder that He is still in control. It is His reminder that nothing can touch you that He does not allow. It is His reminder that no matter the destruction around us, there is HOPE.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

I don’t know what burden you are carrying today. I don’t know what is pressing down on you. I don’t know what destruction is looming over you today.

But I do know there is hope.

I do know nothing can touch you unless God allows it.

I do know that He is near the broken hearted (Psalm 34:18).

I do know God has plans to restore and strengthen you (1 Peter 5:10).

I do know He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

I do know He is a master at bringing beauty out of the brokenness.

Will you trust Him with your trials? Will you trust Him with your future? Will you trust Him with your heart?

He wants you to be just like the Survivor Tree–standing strong as a symbol of His hope and the resilience that comes from walking with Him.