Roller Coaster Ride

I'm realizing that it's been quite awhile since I've written much here, and it's been even longer since I've written anything of encouragement. But now that I'm sick with a sinus cold and have the day off, I'm choosing to use my time wisely. This post is also going to include some feedback from other Christians that I've received after sharing my thoughts.

God has been teaching me lately that following Him, heart and soul, is a roller coaster ride - and that doesn't mean that it's only an emotional one, either. In a culture that is so obsessed with keeping things balanced, with maintaining that sense of "normal", riding this roller coaster can be a challenge. When it seems like everyone else around you is coasting through life with their "It's A Small World" soundtrack, the ups and downs have the potential to become overwhelming.

Can you remember your first roller coaster ride? Or, even further back: Can you remember a time when you wanted so bad to ride that coaster, only to find that you weren't tall enough? God only has two requirements to meet in order for a person to get on His ride: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28, NKJV)

If you're feeling that urge to jump on the roller coaster, if there's something that's drawing you toward this ride, you're being called. Do you love God? Good, strap in.

The best part is, once you're on the roller coaster, you're on it for life. You made the choice to get on, and the engineer is going to make sure that you are going to arrive in one piece at the end. "And we know that all things work together for good..."

Life is unpredictable; it will throw you for a loop. Can you trust that seat belt to hold you in? Can you trust the guy that designed the ride and installed every last nut and bolt exactly where it is supposed to be? Absolutely. You can't always see what's around the next bend, but maybe that's for the better. Some of us would wet our pants or vomit before we even got there if we could see just what's in store for us.

So, yes, the ride can be frightening if we let our fears get to us, but we don't have to be afraid. The ride can be exciting. Following God is supposed to be exciting, and it's often unpredictable. The people that you see that are gung-ho roller coaster fanatics are the people that trust the seat belt to hold them in and are set on enjoying every second that they're strapped in. And, also, they're left wanting more.

So what about the people that don't like roller coasters? I only have this to say: the park closes at night, friends, and I'm certain you won't be coming back the next day for more. You have now; you have today. Get on while you still can. "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near." (Isaiah 55:6)

Take a chance. Ride.