While I was in Armenia, I took a short trip to Italy—just as my body had finally adjusted to the time change and jet lag from the long flight out of Los Angeles.

At some point during my stay in Italy, I realized how disoriented I was in time. Italy was two hours behind Armenia and nine hours ahead of Los Angeles. It felt overwhelming when phone calls, emails, and text messages began pouring in from both Los Angeles and Armenia while I was asleep in Italy. I suddenly found myself sympathizing with people who live and work across time zones—like those Wall Street traders constantly chasing the market.

As I observe life in Armenia, I notice a similar kind of disconnection—though not in clock time, but in mindset. Even among people living in the same time zone, there’s a split. On one hand, I see bright, promising youth rooted in the present and oriented toward an even brighter future. On the other hand, I see compatriots stuck in the shadows of the past—tangled in the snares of socio-political and even ecclesiastical conspiracies.

The message I want to convey is this: no matter which time zone we are in—whether we are ahead or behind by a few hours—the world keeps spinning around the sun. A new dawn rises each day. And those who are present—truly present—in the here and now will get one step closer to a brighter tomorrow. But those trapped in cycles of anger, vengeance, envy, pettiness, and negativity may not get the chance to catch up with the times—let alone rise above them.

From personal experience, I know that jet lag is hard. But without overcoming it, it’s impossible to function or be productive.

Therefore, let us break free from the swamp of negativity and spiritual disconnection that pulls us into the abyss. Instead, let us lift our gaze toward our Zion, “from whence comes our deliverance” (Psalm 14:7).

May we stay awake to the present moment and live with hope for each new dawn.