Hello, 2018! Goodbye, 2017!
I love what January stands for. I just learned yesterday that January originated from the name of Janus—the Roman god of beginnings and endings. In Roman mythology, he is portrayed with two faces facing opposite sides—one looking to the past, the other to the future.
This dichotomy reminds me also of the twin suns in the recent Star Wars film, the Last Jedi. Spoiler Alert: skip this paragraph if you haven’t watched 🙂 The twin suns, a sunrise and a sunset, happened at the same time just when Luke Skywalker was about to die, signifying the end of an era and the beginning of the rise of the young Jedi, Rey.
Last November, I tendered my resignation from my full time work. It was effective December 31, 2017. Few weeks back, as my manager accepted my resignation, a beautiful sunset was taking place outside our conference window.
I was sad at having to say goodbye to five years of service to a mission and a family I have grown to love. Yet, I feel called to go on a new adventure, to embrace new dreams, and new ways of loving and serving. Though I feel sad, I am also happy as I look forward to the new beginnings about to unfold in my life.
Happy and sad. Have you ever felt the same way?
Maybe this is what my friend felt when she had to say goodbye to her mom during the holidays after a long bout with illness. She is very sad to see her go, but also happy that she no longer has to suffer and can now rest in peace with the Lord.
Or maybe it is what one feels when he is about to leave single life to raise a family of his own. Or what a student feels when she is about to leave university and venture into the corporate world.
Though it is sad, sunsets in life are beautiful. But the coming sunrises are equally glorious. It’s the transition perhaps that is scary, because it is often the unknown. As they say, it is often darkest before dawn.
What comforts me is the fact that God is the God of both my past and future. He is also the God of the in-betweens, of transitions, of the happy and sad parts of our life. Whatever happens this year, I know that it will be all right in the end because God will work all things for our good. He knows what’s best for us.
Last December 3, I witnessed a beautiful sunrise outside my window in Mirador on the last day of my Ignatian retreat in Baguio. It was God’s way of saying, “I am here.”
I realized that He was also there yesterday as He woke me up with light of the morning sun. For sure, He will still be there tomorrow. As certain as the dawn, He will be there every day because our God is faithful.
So, here’s for aude lang syne and cheers to our dreams coming true in 2018! May it be our best one yet! Happy New Year! 🙂
Featured Image: Sunrise at Mirador, Baguio City
