From the Preacher's Pen August 2009      


"Life has it's up and down"


My Granddaughter Rachael, on a trip to Knoebel's Grove Amusement Park, went on the Phoenix roller coaster at least six times. With a contagious enthusiasm each time, she would remind me how much she enjoyed the ups and downs at a high rate of speed. She said what she loved most was at the bottom of each dip she would lift up out of her seat several inches and come down with a light bump. While at my age I found it hard to share her love for the ride, I could appreciate how much life seems like a roller coaster with its ups and downs and the bump at the bottom of each low spot.

Life for all of us regardless of our age has somewhat of the same experiences as being on a roller coaster. I am thankful that God said, "Do not be afraid for I will be with you always." I can't imagine what a five year old sees at the top of the highest point of the roller coaster going at a snail pace speed to the top; but it is wonderful what God can show us at those high points of our spiritual experiences. Like Elijah's servant who went to the high point of the precipice overlooking the sea and saw a cloud only the size of a man's hand; but Elijah told him to get ready for a tremendous rain. Mountaintop experiences lift our spirits to greater heights as Peter, James and John experienced in the Mt. of Transfiguration where they were in the presence of Jesus, Moses and Elijah. While the experience did not last long before the three disciples had to get ready for the big drop in going back down the mountain and experience the bumps that accompany the low points of serving Jesus, yet they were able to draw from the spiritual strength of what they saw at the top of the mountain. They would never forget being with Jesus, the Savior of the world, Moses, the great law giver and deliverer of the people of God out of Egyptian slavery, and Elijah, the great prophet of God who would reveal His spirit in John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ.

Our experiences in life certainly have their ups and downs; but we can enjoy the ride as long as we know Jesus is with us. Wherever life takes us, Jesus will always be there to help us see at the top what God is doing in our lives and even when we suddenly find ourselves in one of those low spots, know that Jesus is always there. When the ride stops, you will be able to step off in full assurance that in spite of it all, we can experience the enthusiasm that can come in knowing that "God is good all the time."

So the next time you see a roller coaster with all of its ups and downs, thank God for His promise to you that He will always be with you through the UPS and the DOWNS of life. I was enjoying the ride of my life with my feet on the ground as I watched my granddaughter enjoy the thrill of the roller coaster. Enjoy your ride and keep trusting JESUS.

                                                                                     Enjoy the ride of your life and enjoy the rest of the summer!