Walking with Jesus and riding roller-coasters
I went to Busch Gardens with some friends of mine yesterday. We had a great time. The weather was beautiful, the crowds were manageable and there were roller-coasters. I love riding roller-coasters. I almost never pass up the chance to climb into a car of some sort, get towed up a very large hill and then experience the rush of hurtling toward the ground at break-neck speed…again and again and again. I had never been to this campus of Busch Gardens, so all the roller-coasters were new to me. I put myself in the capable decision-making company of my friends who were well versed regarding which coasters would serve as good warm-ups, which to avoid,, etc. “Keep your head back against the headrest and try to cram it into the nook on the side to keep from getting whip-lash.” “We will do this one first as a warm up before we go to the others.” For the most part, I heeded their advice and warnings to the best of my abilities. I did drag my friend, Karen, on the one coaster she said we should avoid because it would make us sick. But, that’s a different story.
I have always loved coasters, but, I have never been one of those who raise their hands above their heads during the ride. Let’s be reasonable. If I’m hurling along, upside down and sideways, I need to keep my hands on the safety bar in case the coaster breaks free and I have to hold myself in the car. In other words, no matter how absurd my illusion of control is, I need to maintain it so the roller-coaster won’t be quite so scary. So, yesterday I decided to go for broke. Since all the coasters were new to me, I decided to just put myself completely in their control. At the top of the first hill of each coaster, I had to wrench my hands and stick them up in the air. It was crazy how hard it was to do. Oh, but it was exhilarating! I am utterly addicted now. There was so much more excitement and freedom in letting go and just going where the coaster hurled me. I’ll never go back to being a rider who hangs on. I had no idea what I was missing!
If you are following Jesus, have you grabbed the safety bar? Are you trying desperately to maintain some semblance of control, even when doing so is patently absurd? Do you sometimes catch yourself saying to the One you think is all powerful, all knowing and who is love, “I’ll do this, but only my way. Or, I’ll do anything but … “? Is the idea of depending on Jesus, trusting in Him, the safety bar you’re clinging to? Are you saying, “He was a nice man, but we don’t really know…” or “Yeah, Jesus was cool but what about…”? Let go. Wrench your hands free from the bar and just go where the wild and spontaneous God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob takes you. Your life will never be the same. I’d be willing to bet that you’ll get addicted to living life with that kind of excitement and freedom. I did. I would never go back to hanging onto the bar. What will it take for you to give it a try?
- Written by Alicia Hemphill