The Roller Coaster

About twenty-five years ago I joined friends in riding one of the ultimate roller coasters. Its reputation gives it a full five bars of rating for thrills.

A noteworthy component of these amusement rides is, once you’re on a roll you can’t get off before the ride is completed. 308 feet of vertical close to 90 mph on the descent. You’re in for a ride. When we were back to the finish line and I looked at the wooden structure, the small bearings on the car’s wheels, I vowed never to ride again!

 Life is sometimes referred to as a roller coaster. These rides are made even more remarkable for people who are inclined to start assembly before reading instructions. There’s a reason why God has made some of us this way… Columbus would never have set out for America; the Wright Bros. would not have pioneered air travel. That said, the egg-on-the-face of a failed proposition, as well as the wise words of those who first read instructions, are part of the roller coaster ride.

Have you ever questioned why, by all appearance, some people have “all the luck”, be it bad luck or good luck?  We read about Job. He seemed to have his share. Or is it luck? Think about it. God knew Don would ride the roller coaster. He knew when he blessed your conception that you would be on your roller coaster. He knew on your wedding day that your vows were going to be tested; maybe to a point of breaking.

Job wanted to die. We too want to run and hide. We too wish we could get off that roller coaster. We hang our heads in shame when we know we failed again. It’s even harder when those that read the instructions wag their beards and suggest that they saw it coming.

However, consider those who mocked Columbus, who ridiculed Noah, those who thought that the Wright Bros. were absurd. Their progeny settled in America, and are now flying back to Europe for family reunions. When the floods came, those who ridiculed Noah changed their minds about Noah.

If you find yourself on a roller coaster that you would rather not be on, its best to ride it to the end; much safer than hitting the eject button!

I Corinthians 10:13 – “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

Inscribed on the wall of Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta.”

― Mother Teresa

(online info indicates that this poem was initially written by Kent Keith in 1968, and Mother Teresa placed a slightly different version [above] on her wall)