The Roller Coaster Ride
While this ride was not particularly high, it was fast, and took the familiar route many a roller coaster has gone before .
Reference: v.18 Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the Lord, “You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” (TNIV Bible)
Explore: I was recently at a theme park where I plucked up the courage to go on a roller coaster. I was absolutely petrified of these rides as a child, but as I have got older I have been more open to experiencing being thrown around by a ride. While this ride was not particularly high, it was fast, and took the familiar route many a roller coaster has gone before. It sped downwards fast, then shot off suddenly around a corner, only to go around and around and around the track, throwing you around the next corner just before you felt yesterday’s lunch repeat on yourself! The ride would slow down as it came to a steep part of the track and you were able to catch your breath, only to have the rollercoaster cart go through a similar up/down, round and round motion again.
Application: While a roller coaster ride can be entertaining, often we can feel like we are taking a roller coaster ride in real life. I’m not meaning literal steep slopes and sharp corners, but more of an emotionally tumultuous journey. Life can really get tough sometimes, even when you’re a Christian. Some people think that as soon as you accept Jesus as your Saviour then life will be just like one easy sailing trip along a smooth river. But often it’s more like a roller coaster. As you weave through the track of life, trying to discern how to serve God best, experiencing the wonder of the heights, but also struggling to discern where you’re going when you’re plummeting to the depths. We are not alone in experiencing these emotions. Samson went from the heights of a glorious victory in battle to the depths of feeling like he would die of thirst. But, it seems that God heard him in both situations. He is there for us at the top of the mountain, and listens out for us when we are plummeting to the depths. We must not forget God in either of these places. He can be a part of our celebration as well as our commiseration.
Prayer: Lord, life really does feel like a roller coaster ride sometimes. Thank you that we have the hope of you being there for us always. May we not leave you out of our lives, no matter what emotional place we may be in. Amen.
What part of the roller coaster ride do you feel you are on?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.
1 comment:
The Bible made me to understand that: But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth MORE and MORE unto the perfect day. Prov. 4:18 (KJV) (Emphasis mine). Those times that we experience “the wonder of the heights” are those times we make decisions that are according to the will of God. But when you are “plummeting to the depths” its as a result making decisions according to your own wisdom.
God’s way takes you to the heights. Man’s ways takes you to the depths.
May God give you the grace to make decisions according to His will!