When the Runway Shuts Down
By Pastor Jerry A. Burns
This excerpt comes from a news report by The Canadian Press describing a tragic collision at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. In the aftermath, dozens were injured, emergency crews responded, and one of the busiest airports in the country was brought to a halt. Flights were delayed, runways shut down, and operations slowed significantly. Even after repairs were made and runways reopened, the ripple effects remained—hundreds of cancellations, lingering delays, and an ongoing investigation trying to understand what went wrong.
What stands out is how quickly everything changed. One moment, planes are landing and taking off like clockwork. The next, everything stops. The runway—normally a place of constant motion—becomes a place of stillness, repair, and reflection. It’s a sobering reminder of how fragile and interruptible life really is. We plan, we schedule, we move forward—but in a moment, everything can be disrupted.
Our lives often run like that airport—busy, full, constantly moving. We have our plans, our direction, our expectations. But sometimes, God allows a “runway moment.” Something unexpected interrupts our pace. It may not be a tragedy like this, but it could be sickness, disappointment, conflict, or uncertainty. And suddenly, we are forced to stop.
But notice something important in the report: before operations resumed, the runway had to be repaired, inspected, and confirmed safe. There was no rushing back to normal. Careful attention had to be given to what was damaged. In the same way, when God allows interruptions in our lives, it’s not just to stop us—it’s to work on us. To repair what’s been neglected. To examine what’s been overlooked. To realign us with what truly matters.
Sometimes we just want to “get back to normal” as quickly as possible. But God is more interested in making us right than making us busy. He slows us down so that we might look up. He interrupts our plans so that we might trust His.
Even in tragedy, there is a reminder: life is not in our control—but it is always in God’s hands.
Take 10 minutes today with no phone, no noise—just sit quietly with your Bible and reflect on Psalm 46.
When life suddenly slows or stops, don’t rush past it—ask God what He is trying to repair, reveal, or realign in your life.
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" — Job 19:25
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This Week's Radio Program
Week Forty-Four • November 1, 2026
What are you Seeking?
In this week’s message titled "What are you Seeking?" from Kitchener Baptist Church, Pastor Jerry A. Burns explores John 20 to show how the world searches for meaning in the wrong places. Listeners will hear how Solomon looked for purpose in worldly success and pleasures only to find vanity, and how Mary Magdalene sought her Savior at the tomb, weeping for the dead before discovering He had risen.
Pastor Burns reminds us that true life is found only in Jesus Christ. The reality of Christ gives us life, and His resurrection is the key to our salvation and eternal life. We must choose life, for Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Join us on "Timeless Truths" as we turn to God's Word for these vital answers.
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