Roller Coasters are a strange source of adventure. We stand in line for an hour so speeds and dips can jostle us for a few seconds. We have the sensation of being out of control, while in reality we are quite safe. In a strange way, we gain joy from experiencing that which we fear, while trusting the theme park construction and operation. Or, we can choose not to trust the theme park, in which case we can experience genuine fear and dread, and hate every minute of the ride.

We can learn a lot from the roller coaster. Our 2-minute adventure ride of life has a lot of standing in line. A lot of waiting. We can enjoy the wait, or fret. It’s our choice. Fretting won’t make the line any shorter. We might as well choose a perspective of hope and just enjoy chatting with the people standing in line along with us.

The 2-minute adventure ride of life can also make us feel out of control. When this occurs, we can choose to trust the maker of the adventure. God is the builder and operator of the theme park of life. He is more dependable than Disney. Even when it frightens us, even when we aren’t in control, it is a journey made for our benefit. Whether or not we enjoy it is a matter of perspective.

Perspective helps us enjoy the journey. We can choose a perspective that accepts that the turns and turmoil of the ride are a part of the adventure. Even if our heart drops to the pit of our stomach, in the end, there will be joy. No theme park maker worth their salt would have it any other way.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us; We are glad.”
– Psalm 126:1-2