So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1 Peter 4:19)
When was the last time you were on a roller coaster? I got on the Space Mountain ride at Disney World with my kids a few years ago . . . which was a mistake of gargantuan proportions. The crazy twists and turns had me hanging on for dear life! As we were hurtling through the dark “mountain,” I told myself grimly, “There is no getting off until the ride is over.”
The same thing is true with Christianity. The Christian life is filled with all sorts of crazy twists and turns, and once it starts, we are on the roller coaster ride until it ends on the other side of glory.
Sometimes the roller coaster ride of my redemption has me wanting to get off. It can seem like everything is out of control and the wheels are coming off the track. Doubt begins to derail my devotion; confusion begins to cloud my commitment; worry begins to weaken my walk with Jesus. With each turbulent twist and troublesome turn, we must remember that there always has been and always will be an occupied throne in heaven. Jesus is seated on it, and He is in complete control of everything that is going on in the universe . . . and that most definitely includes our lives too. I need to remind myself over and over again that nothing happens to me that doesn’t first pass through His nail-scarred hands.
How are things with you? Has life been feeling like a roller coaster ride these days? Has the Lord been taking you through some loop-de-loops in your life? Fear not! Just like my kids on that crazy Space Mountain ride, you can release your white-knuckle grip and actually throw your hands up in the air and shout for joy, because the One who died for your sins is guiding you through every unexpected high and every stomach-churning low in life, and He is using all of them for His glory and your ultimate and eternal good.
Christian, God’s promise is clear: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6). Hold fast to it!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!