Walking across Union’s campus during the summer, it’s not uncommon to encounter evidence that Fuge Camp is occurring, whether it’s viewing hundreds of young people engaged in outdoor recreation or seeing their small-group rooms decorated with the year’s theme. One day as I passed the Fuge store, where participants can purchase merchandise, I noticed a sign that said, “Sorry we’re not here, come back during Hang Time.” I continued on to my destination, but the phrase remained emblazoned on my brain. Later, I decided to see what Fuge meant by Hang Time, and discovered that in a typical day, it is the time allotted between Track Times and Dinner for leisure activities.

Continuing to consider this two-word phrase, I debated other ways Hang Time is used in today’s culture. According to an online dictionary, Hang Time means “the amount of time that something remains in the air.” For me, I immediately picture the poster of Michael Jordan wearing his Chicago Bulls uniform suspended in the air over an opposing player going in for a slam dunk. For dad, his thoughts conjure up a football sailing through the air after a kick. Had I had the opportunity to ask physics professor Bill Nettles his definition before he passed away in June of 2022, I imagine a technical explanation of how Jordan could defy the laws of mere mortals and remain suspended in air. But perhaps it would be Ed Sandidge’s story of praying for Hang Time as he piloted his Cessna 172 through southern skies over Georgia and the Tri-Cities without instruments that leads me into a more spiritual conversation about the phrase.

Perhaps Ed, Bob Goff, and other pilots have requested Hang Time in the middle of a prayer, clearly needing more time in the skies for the situation to be resolved; but for most of when things Hang in the balance and we are unsure of what to do, we desire that this period of Hang Time (or time spent in a Waiting Room) come to a quick end, not to be prolonged! But in these moments when things Hang in the balance, we are not alone. The reality is that often God is fighting things we aren’t even aware of. He is providing us Hang Time because He needs time to work things out for our good. I don’t know about you, but it’s challenging to trust God in these seasons of unclarity, but I am grateful for reminders like Goff shares in his book Undistracted, “Don’t let the darkness of your circumstances or the surprises you encounter distract you from your destination. Level the wings, climb a little higher, look for the glow of home, then aim for it.”

Like the pilots waiting for instruments to be restored or weather to clear, I desire as much Hang Time as possible when zip lining in Calgary or spending time with friends. Conversations while doing nothing but sharing laughter, stories, and most likely food, that’s my preferred type of Hang Time; not a pilot with just a wing and a prayer or a season of uncertainty, but quality time with people I love and care for. However, I will continue to trust God in all of life’s circumstances, to surrender all of my time, even difficult periods where clarity seems to Hang in the balance and I’m unsure of what to do next.

Personally, Hang Time is often a period that God is using to cultivate a Habit of Growth or a Habit of Resilience in me, where He is doing something in or for me that doesn’t seem to be producing any fruit. However, if I remain patient, stay connected to Him, and allow Him to guide my way, I can only imagine where He might take me on this journey to a flourishing life!

References:

Goff, B. (2022). Undistracted: Capture your purpose, rediscover your joy. Thomas Nelson.

Britannica Dictionary. (n.d.). Hang time. In Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/hang-time