In the summer of 1959, I went on a blind date that changed my life. That first date we went to an amusement park in St. Louis. I was smitten by that older woman (13 months older) with that quiet Mona Lisa smile. Even though we grew up in the same city and we had so much in common, including our faith in Christ, our paths had never crossed until then. We dared each other to ride the big wooden roller coaster. We held hands on that ride and I’m sure we both said a few silent prayers that the creaking old ride would get us safely to our destination. I mentioned at her memorial service that it was the first and last thrill ride we shared; if you didn’t count our 50 year marriage, which was a wild ride we took together. There were highs and lows, twists and sharp turns; and dips that took our breath away. Looking back on all of it, good and not so good, I wouldn’t change a thing because that long ride together drew us closer to God and to each other. It is all part of who I am; today.
Have you ever wondered why the Christian life isn’t a smooth, straight highway to heaven? Why do we face long climbs and sharp drops; rough stormy seas, sorrows and sadness? Yes, there are thrilling experiences along the way, but also sudden unexpected curves that change the course of our life. I think there are three things we need to remember as we face this wild ride.
The first thing is we need contrast to help us understand life. We can’t truly appreciate light unless we have experienced darkness. We can’t appreciate God’s blessings without going through a dry spell or a difficult trial. It is human nature when things are sailing along smoothly we immediately begin to take it for granted and think that is the way it will always be. We need to be reminded sometimes that He is the source of our blessings and our peace in the storms of life.
Secondly, the Christian life is a refining process. God burns away our impurities and smooths out our sharp edges. He is forming us into His son or daughter in the likeness of Jesus so our family resemblance will be easily seen by all. That process isn’t pleasant sometimes but the resulting love, kindness, obedience and other fruit of the Spirit are more than worth whatever discomfort we go through. So don’t worry about what is around that next curve, just enjoy the ride and know there is peace beyond our wildest imagination waiting for us at the end of it.
Finally, we are never alone on this wild ride called the Christian life. The gospel song Through the Fire describes it so well. “So many times I’ve questioned certain circumstances or things I could not understand. Many times in trials weakness blurs my vision and that’s when my frustration gets so out of hand. It’s then I am reminded that I’ve never been forsaken and I’ve never had to stand one test alone. As I look at all the victories the Spirit rises up in me and it’s through the fire my weakness is made strong. He never promised that the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb. He never offered a victory without fighting. He said help will always come in time. Just remember when you’re standing in the valley of decision and the adversary says give in, just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again. I know within myself I would surely perish. But if I trust the mighty hand of God He’ll shield the flames again.”