Are We There Yet?

Tomorrow night, at the first stroke of midnight, the first decade of this century will be over.  Years before the start of this century, many were anxious over the Y2K bug, anticipating the disasters it would unleash.  Now, over ten years later, it is old news.  Memories of years past.

On Monday, while in Malaysia, the Swallow's family joined her extended family for a meal.  Not knowing where the restaurant was, the journey to that location seemed long and the road seemed to stretch a long distance.  From her parents' home, journeying on past her sibling's home where she was staying while in Malaysia, then on to the restaurant, the distance was keenly felt.

On the other hand, although the Swallow's journey back to Singapore took her more than five hours, it did not seem as long.  The hours simply flew by because the Swallow was going home.

How does one measure time?  One minute is only sixty seconds, but ask a person to wait a minute and he will feel like he has been waiting for a long time.  On the road, if one does not move when the light is green, even if it is only for one or two seconds, more often than not he can be sure to hear honks from the cars behind him.

So what is ten years?  Looking forward, ten years seem like a long time.  Now looking back at the past decade, ten years seem to have flown past and quickly too.

At the start, a journey always seems longer than when one looks back, right?  Especially when one does not know his destination.  Or the estimated time of arrival.  Just ask little children when they travel.  Not knowing his parents' plans, "Are we there yet?" is commonly-asked question.

Although the Swallow knows where her final destination will be, she does not know at which point of the journey she is at.  Thus, at this point when year 2010 leaves and year 2011 arrives, the Swallow is, like a little child, asking her heavenly Father "Are we there yet?".

Jeremiah 29 : 11 - 13 (NIV)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."

She may not know her heavenly Father's plans for her, but the Swallow has no fear of the future because He knows!