I witnessed the horror of 9/11 firsthand. Here's what I learned about God, courage and life

8:46 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 , changed my life—and the lives of millions of others—forever.

Nineteen hijackers from the terrorist organization Al Qaeda carried out the devil’s work, resulting in the murder of 2,977 innocent souls who were never able to fulfill the measure of their creation.

I witnessed the horror unfold up close while working at Merrill Lynch on the top floor of the World Financial Center, adjacent to the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City.

When I heard the loudest explosion, I rushed to the window and saw a gaping hole, chunks of the silver metallic building falling like confetti, massive flames, and black smoke billowing from the North Tower (1 WTC).

I could not process what I was seeing.

I had walked through 1 WTC only an hour earlier.

My first thought was: "People are dying up there." My heart was crushed as the terror continued.

After I watched the second plane slam into the South Tower (2 WTC), I knew we were under attack.

I frantically escaped my building.

Amid the pandemonium, a sobering question came to mind.

For a moment, time stood still, and I asked myself: If I were to die today, am I prepared to meet my Maker? Am I ready to die? FRANK SILLER: 'I LOVE YOU, BROTHER' -- THE 9/11 LOSS THAT INSPIRED A MISSION OF SERVICE Through the fear and terror, I experienced a glimmer of peace as I dug deep to make sense of the mayhem.

One thing I knew for certain: I was a child of God, and He loved me.

I felt that calm reassurance even in the darkness.

There was hope.