I am an amusement park wimp. I am afraid of heights and being flipped upside-down. I am afraid of falling. There are better uses of my time, my nerves, and my gastric processes, than 40 seconds of pulse-racing, blood-pressure-exploding terror. I do know that it is a combination of fear and fun – I get it. 89-degree drops, though, are not for me. I heard a saying once: “every day you should do at least one thing that scares you.” Conquer the unknown, I suppose. Controlled danger can make us feel alive, like zip-lining or helicopter rides or white-water rafting (bucket list). Scary experiences make great stories. Summoning up moral courage; risking.

To follow Jesus may entail saying yes to controlled danger. If we want him to “take the wheel”, we can’t be a back-seat driver. Being freakish about control runs counter to faith, uncertainty, and being comfortable with the mysteries of how God operates. It is hard to let go, to be completely trusting. I have tried praying my way out of being fearful, as the line for the scary ride moves along, then rationalize my way out of overcoming the fear, stepping out of the line. Often I doubt that God cares much about amusement parks or which bowling team wins, just to name a couple of examples.

Do we (I) ever get to a point of totally trusting that God is in control? When or where does his control override our free will and choices? A firm confidence in God seeing us through whatever it is – that is the end-game. The steps and leaps of faith are able to withstand any worst-case scenario. If we don’t take a chance, we have no chance. New directions and approaches are necessary for growth, a better word than change. Remaining stuck will not dislodge us from inertia and status quo. Like parenthood, we cannot envision every possible situation. The same has been true for me in ministry. Exhilaration, thrilling, fun – that can be ours as we dare to dream and plan big. The certain knowledge, the controlled danger, in being one with Jesus on the rollercoaster ride. Unconditional love is promised for the journey.

Pastor Art