Devotional

I still remember my first roller coaster ride. It was the Big Dipper on the boardwalk in Santa Cruz, California. A huge, wooden roller coaster! My dad and I went together – I was usually up for anything daring that my dad was going to do. Even though it scared me a little I loved my first roller coaster ride!

I’ve loved roller coasters ever since. I like the loop-d-loop ones and keep my eyes open the whole time. I love the ones with huge drops and the faster the better!

Usually though, the roller coaster stops after a few minutes and I get off and decide whether I’m going to ride it again. The roller coaster I’ve been on the past couple of years seems to have forgotten to stop and let me off. It just keeps going and going…..

Sometimes I find myself screaming “STOP! I WANT TO GET OFF!” Sometimes I give up and sit back and try to ride it out. Other times, I try to pretend I’m not even on it – but then we go through one of those loop-d-loops and there’s no ignoring it!

Life is like a roller coaster right now. Sometimes I’m slowly climbing uphill. As the roller coaster slowly grinds it’s way up the hill, I wonder what I’m in for. But you know, just like on my favorite roller coasters, I have a secure brace that holds me safely in my seat no matter what comes. As I roll over the top and dropppppppppp down the other side, I suddenly feel the security of that seat brace holding me in.

God is my seat brace. I know he’s there while I’m climbing the hill, but I feel the strength of his arms around me as I fall and twist and go through the loop-d-loops.

In the New Living Translation, Psalm 23:4 says
“Even when I walk
through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.

Sometimes, I’ve had a hard time understanding how a rod and staff can be a comfort to me. I see how, if I was a sheep, it would protect me and maybe the protection would comfort me. But when I begin to think about being on a roller coaster, it all becomes clear. The rod and staff are my seat belt – or that big padded brace that holds me in my seat! When I hit those long drops, I am so very comforted by God’s tight hold on me. I think that is exactly what the Psalmist is talking about here.

Now I know some of you reading this can’t relate to enjoying roller coasters. But I know you can relate to roller coaster days. Isn’t it a comfort to know that God is the one who holds you tightly in your seat – even if you have to go upside down?

PRAYER: Father God, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anyone compare you to a neck brace on a roller coaster. But when I’m on those man made thrill rides, I sure am thankful for them. I’m even more thankful for you and the security you bring me even with the ups and downs and twirls and loop-d-loops of this life. Please allow me to always feel your tight loving arms around me! Amen