Oftentimes the passing of time seems so quick, fading or slipping away among the day to day pace of life. However, here and there, time also seems to slow, perhaps occasionally so much so that it seems to come to a halt, giving the impression or feeling of being on hold. A number of years ago, I was on a flight heading home, when an engine blew, and the plane seemed to suddenly dip or drop before steadying again.

With the smell of smoke, the loud noise of the engine blowing, and the brief plummet there were more than a few moments of uncertainty. Although all of these things happened rather quickly, as the pilot circled and navigated to land the plane safely at a nearby airport, time seemed to stand still as my heart continued to race from the fright of it all. I had never experienced anything like that in the few times I had previously been flying in an airplane.

Once off the plane and in the terminal, in the midst of the typical hustle and bustle of the airport, still somewhat in a state of shock, time no longer stood still. Within a fairly short amount of time, my fellow passengers and I were able to make arrangements that eventually got us back home. Some of us traveled together once more, while others remained, opting to take later flights. In a sense, we all began again, and while the time and place was different, as were we, the destination was the same.

Isn’t that how each New Year is? We strive to rise from the past, taking with us the wisdom of all that we have experienced and learned, and hold on by the grace of God, as we spring forth into the unknown.

Arise! Shine, for your light has come,
the glory of the LORD has dawned upon you. – Isaiah 60:1