Someone once said life is a journey. From this statement you may picture long and winding trails, walking sticks, running along sandy beaches or racing down highways in a shiny sports car. But what do you do when your journey deviated from your picture-perfect path and takes you on a theme park ride?
High hills.
Jerky turns.
Sudden drops.
Yes, life can turn into a roller coaster leaving you asking, “What good is this doing me, Lord?”
I’m up one minute.
I’m down the next.
Scared. Out of breath.
Facing this wild ride alone.
“How am I going to handle this, Lord? Won’t you please stop this ride and let me off?”
There’s a good chance the Lord wants you to finish the ride.
But take heart! Every theme park ride has rules. These rules help give you courage and provide safety so you are able to endure the ride to the very end.
Rule No. 1: Surrender to the Ride
Once you peak the hill and begin the downward drop you can’t stop. There’s no brake pedal, no way to decelerate. The only thing you can do is raise your hands and surrender. “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross despising the shame.” (Heb. 12:2 KJV).
Rule No. 2: Know Jesus is Riding with You
He’s there through all the ups and downs, through every sharp turn and even in the events that take your breath away. “For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5 KJV). “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Mat. 28:20 NIV).
He knows what’s over the next hill. He sees the end from the beginning. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come … .” (Is. 46:10 NIV).
Rule No. 3: Stay on the Ride
No one gets hurt unless they try to get off during the ride. The Apostle Paul, while traveling to Rome on a ship, headed into the perfect storm. He assured the crew no one would lose their life as long as they stayed with the ship. Through the battering of the waves and the rocks all stayed as the ship was torn apart. No one was lost even though conditions were far from desirable because they listened to God’s messenger and stayed on the ride.
Rule No. 4: The Ride Ends
During the ride it may seem like time is standing still, but trust that you are moving forward and the end of the ride is coming. Your feet will once again stand on solid ground. The Lord is your firm foundation. “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” (Ps. 40:2 KJV).
Rule No. 5: When the Ride is Over Reflect on its Ups and Downs
At the peaks you were able to see things you could never see from ground level. In the low points you felt things you could never feel otherwise. During the climbs and descents, you met others who were experiencing your same fears and thrills. You would never have known them if you had not ridden the ride.
If you place your trust in Jesus, the purpose of the ride will work for good in the end (Rom. 8:28). During the journey you may never know why or understand how, but Jesus does. On that day when you step upon the shores of heaven you will see the end from the beginning just like Jesus. On that day the roller coaster ride will make perfect sense.
Until then, trust his perfect love for you and his perfect love for others wherever your journey takes you.