Saturday, December 09, 2006

Enjoying the Ride?

Beloved Christian author and missionary, Amy Carmichael, used the following words to describe our lives: a fight, a wrestle, a journey, a race and a climb. Life is all of these and more. Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life uses these word pictures: a minefield, a roller coaster, a puzzle, a symphony, a journey and a dance. Former Los Angeles Angels chapel leader, Chuck Obremski...now home with the Lord, identified with the roller coaster comparison when he wrote:

“He can do something about my situation should He choose to do so! It has been quite an adventure so far but with Jesus it is OK. I tell folks I am riding the cancer coaster but it is OK because I know the ride operator! He will let me get off when He chooses. Until then, I take notes of all He wants to teach me. Like Job, I too agree, ‘naked I came into this world and naked I will go out, Blessed be the Name of the Lord’...."

Profound words from a man of God who experienced life with all its terrors, its fears, its bumps and bruises and, dare I say it, its ups and downs. Not an easy ride but…Chuck knew the Ride Operator and was “taking notes of all He wants to teach” him.

How about you? Are you enjoying the ride, the trip, the minefield? Maybe you haven’t started yet. Maybe you’re still trying to determine your desired destination. If you’ve started living the Christian life you discovered that it’s all of the following and more:

- A fight/battle
- A journey
- A race
- A climb
- A minefield
- A roller coaster
- A puzzle
- A symphony
- A dance


Yes, living a victorious Christian life isn’t just difficult, it’s impossible, apart from the working of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives. But, when God is the Ride Operator it’s the greatest adventure on earth! Are you enjoying the ride?

Be encouraged today, friend!

1 comment:

Terry said...

Dear David..This man sounds just like our Roger Bennett,eh?
It truly is a mystery to me how some Chrisitans can be so close to the Lord in trying times like times of sickness.. I just suppose that when you DO start to suffer, that is when the Lord really shows you how much He cares and although He is already the closest He can be to us, we are the ones that will draw closer to Him!

Although this is a sad post, it is at the same time just so beautiful!..From Terry