Dare the Roller Coaster!

When my son was small, he was not adventurous in any way. Instead, he liked what was safe and known, avoiding anything new or risky. Although we enjoyed an annual excursion to Six Flags when my sister’s family came to visit, my son stubbornly refused to join us on the roller coaster, not even setting foot in the tunnel to the ride. It just looked too scary!

As we enter a new year, we may be too afraid to risk the downs ahead to even aim to go up. Thus, we don’t attempt anything new or different, settling for what is safe rather than following God into the unknown.

I think of Abraham, whose courageous faith following God to a foreign land resulted in a nation and a descendant to bring love and redemption to all mankind. It all happened because he took the risk of faith. If we want to impact our world for God’s kingdom, we must overcome our fears. What a ride we will enjoy if we dare to obey God and risk the ups and downs that are ahead!

This last year was scary as I left a known ministry position and set out for opportunities that only God can see. Although I am still in limbo in many ways,
he has proven that the ride is worth the risk. I have experienced the presence and purposes of God in real ways that have been huge ups. Yes, there have been downs in loss of income, community, and ministry, but seeing God move in unexpected ways has been more valuable. My walk with God would not have been the same in the safe and known.

What is God asking you to risk? What adventure does he have ahead? Trust him to carry you through both ups and downs. Dare to follow him on life’s roller coaster!