“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 The Living Bible)
In a one-on-one conversation with a five-year-old child, we talked about her trip to a well-known, big amusement park with her parents. She recalled with enthusiasm all the sights and sounds, all the great food, and of course, all of her favorite rides. She shared that they had a big rollercoaster ride. I inquired whether or not she got to ride on it. Her response was, “No! It’s too big! It makes too much noise! It goes way up high and then it comes down.” Her description is accompanied by the animated motion of her little hands. She went on to say, “One day, when I get older, I will ride on the rollercoaster, but I will be sure to hold on!”
We can marvel at the dialogue of five-year old children in our days and time, but instead let’s do some :children of God” comparisons with the five-year-old’s account. We have all been to this well-known place called “life.” Check! We have observed all kinds of sights, heard all kinds of sounds, and we have sampled many great foods. Check! Often a lot of noise comes from the mouths of naysayers and nonbelievers, as well as nonsense on the airways. Check! For years we have been big enough, old enough to ride on the rollercoasters of life. Yes, we have been on several big rollercoaster rides of circumstances, and we referred to it as “sometimes up and sometimes down, sometimes leveled to the ground.” Check! We can accompany our testimony, our telling of our personal stories, with our animated hands as we thank God and praise God for bringing us safely through! Check! Lastly, there will be days where we will ride rollercoasters of life that come with getting older. But do you want to know something of value? Okay, here it is, just for you! We have to ride it out, holding on! Hold to God’s unchanging hands! Have a wonderful ride through this Wednesday and be sure to hold on! Be blessed!
“Time is filled with swift transition. Naught on earth unmoved can stand. Build your hope on things eternal. Hold to God’s unchanging hand. Trust in Him who will not leave you. Whatsoever years may bring. If by earthly friend forsaken, still more closely to His hand. Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand.”
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King