Sunday, September 30, 2012

September 30, 2012


Pink Lemonade and Popcorn

Some of my favorite memories of my time in full time discipleship youth ministry include Sunday afternoons.  I would set the pink lemonade and popcorn out, ready and waiting.  The knocks on the door would begin and in would tumble a handful of high school girls. At the time, some of them may have claimed what they loved most about the afternoons were the popcorn and lemonade. The most precious thing to me though was watching these girls grow in their relationship with the Lord.

It was with that group of girls I first spouted out my “roller coaster” analogy. It went something like…

Life can feel a lot like a roller coaster at times.

You get on the ride full of excitement. Anticipating the thrill of the ride.

And there is a thrill.  The rush of adrenaline amidst the many ups and downs.  There are the moments of anticipation as the track creaks slowly upwards and your mind begins to wonder what you might be about to encounter next on the drop, the twist, or the upside down turn. And then there’s the excitement as you lift your hands on the drop and scream at the top of your lungs.

But it isn’t all a thrill.  There are parts that are downright terrifying. Many moments that you realize you have absolutely no control.

The great news is that despite the ups and down, ignoring the stomach-dropping moments, and capitalizing upon the exhilarating seconds… you’re always buckled in. 

As in life…

Also full of ups and downs.  There’s great anticipation as we look forward to milestones in our lives.  Tears and screams pour out when life seems to be more than we can handle and we know we are out of control.  We may love the moments of the “ride” that bring smiles to our faces even while wondering what twist or turn awaits us next. 

But all throughout the ride, we are “buckled in.”

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39

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September 30, 2012


Pink Lemonade and Popcorn

Some of my favorite memories of my time in full time discipleship youth ministry include Sunday afternoons.  I would set the pink lemonade and popcorn out, ready and waiting.  The knocks on the door would begin and in would tumble a handful of high school girls. At the time, some of them may have claimed what they loved most about the afternoons were the popcorn and lemonade. The most precious thing to me though was watching these girls grow in their relationship with the Lord.

It was with that group of girls I first spouted out my “roller coaster” analogy. It went something like…

Life can feel a lot like a roller coaster at times.

You get on the ride full of excitement. Anticipating the thrill of the ride.

And there is a thrill.  The rush of adrenaline amidst the many ups and downs.  There are the moments of anticipation as the track creaks slowly upwards and your mind begins to wonder what you might be about to encounter next on the drop, the twist, or the upside down turn. And then there’s the excitement as you lift your hands on the drop and scream at the top of your lungs.

But it isn’t all a thrill.  There are parts that are downright terrifying. Many moments that you realize you have absolutely no control.

The great news is that despite the ups and down, ignoring the stomach-dropping moments, and capitalizing upon the exhilarating seconds… you’re always buckled in. 

As in life…

Also full of ups and downs.  There’s great anticipation as we look forward to milestones in our lives.  Tears and screams pour out when life seems to be more than we can handle and we know we are out of control.  We may love the moments of the “ride” that bring smiles to our faces even while wondering what twist or turn awaits us next. 

But all throughout the ride, we are “buckled in.”

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39
 

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