What About Roller-Coasters?

When I was a little girl, my mother would take us to a school playground near our home.  Mostly I would run around and hang from the monkey-bars.  I could not stand to be on a swing!  If I tried it, I absolutely hated the feeling of the whooshing air pushing against my body.  I could not tolerate the feeling in my tummy or the sense that I would fall off the swing.  It didn't matter who told me that I was okay, I knew that I certainly was not okay by any means!  Mind you, it didn't bother me at all if I fell off the monkey-bars right on my silly head!  But those swings, no way!  The same goes for carnival and amusement park rides.  There will be no twisty, twirly, upside-down horror for me!

I find it amusing that as an adult I still try to avoid anything that will turn me around or whoosh me in any way, either emotionally or physically.  I also find it somewhat amusing that God has chosen to allow me to be riding a really high and terrifying roller coaster right now!  Very interesting!

So, let's think about roller-coasters...

First of all, they are engineered to be the scariest thing on the planet!  On purpose!  Second, you cannot think of anything else when you are riding it. Next,  they can make you feel sick, out of control of your world, some people even faint from fear!  Can there be anything good here?  Yes!  Atop a roller-coaster you see a bigger world, filled with bigger possibilities!   For every upward climb, there is a return to the bottom.  Best of all, even the best roller-coaster ride is usually pretty short!

What can we learn then in the practical world?

1. God's promise says that we will not be given anything more than we can handle, no matter what we believe about that.
2. God is the ultimate safety engineer.  His mighty hand is always there, ready to catch us if we fall off the ride.
3. Sometimes we need to see that bigger view to give us perspective.
4. Nothing that God allows is for naught.  His ways are purposeful.
5. He will never leave us nor forsake us, even on a scary roller-coaster!
6. The frightful ride will end and we can get off!  We just need to hold on tight in the meantime!
7. God's blessings come new every morning and come to those who stand and persevere.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12 NIV

                                           Let's ride the coaster for all it's worth!
                                                      Blessings and love to all...