A Moment in Time?

November 15, 2023

When I look at this photo, the first thing I think about as I see the blur of taillights and headlights is that this is a moment in time. It’s like the camera stopped time and caught it in the act of happening.

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But when you actually think about it, this picture isn’t a moment in time, it is more a segment of time. The camera shutter was actually open for five seconds. That’s how I got the taillights and headlights photographed like that. It’s an image of things happening over those five seconds. I don’t know how many cars moved away from me and toward me, but there were quite a few.

I took the picture early in the morning before the sun fully arrived. So, lots of early morning things going on. The people in those cars may have been talking on phones, singing along with the radio, or chatting with a fellow rider. Could be they were planning for a big meeting or dreading the thought of trudging into that job they hated. They could have been wishing they’d said something nicer to their spouse or their children before leaving home.

You can’t see them, but I’m sure there were people in many of those buildings. Some getting ready for the day and some planning to head home. I wonder how many people were happy and how many were sad?

You and I have many 5-second segments of time in our lives.

The question is, “How do we spend those 5-second segments?”

Here’s the thing. No matter what we’re going through, there are opportunities to show kindness and compassion to others. When we’re in our cars and someone aggressively tries to get past us, we can choose to just let them go. First, we don’t know why they feel they have to get ahead. There may be a very good reason. Second, it’s just not worth intentionally having that battle on the road.

I met with a dear friend just recently and we talked about how no matter who you are you are probably going through something. The people we come across in our day-to-day routines are going through something. One of our 5-second segments can either make their day or ruin their day.

It could also make or ruin our day.

I love the way Paul wrote it in his letter to the Colossian community.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12, NIV)

The truth is, just like everyone around is us going through something, you and I are usually going through something, too. It’s not always so easy to live those words when we’re not having such a good day either. That’s way we have to rely on God’s power to live those words in every 5-second segment.

Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians while in prison. We may have to show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, or patience while we are struggling, too. We can’t do it on our own, but we can do it with God’s help.

I pray these thoughts give you encouragement and hope for your “moments in time.”