Adventure

Life is an adventure!  I have been heard proclaiming this many times, while also comparing our life as a roller coaster ride.   I can sense many of you are nodding in agreement.  When someone recently shared that they were having a hard time convincing their spouse to downsize and sell their home, I suggested she approach it with a more positive side – “You’re moving on to the next adventure!”   One of the things that brings a big smile to my face is remembering  the countless times my husband and I have planned day trips in the car, even something as simple as a drive to Gettysburg or Hershey, Pennsylvania, for the day.  Guaranteed, one of us will quip, as we get in the car, “Is this an adventure?”  Life IS an adventure, even when the roller coaster takes us to the top of the incline and then quickly plummets us to the bottom, around banked curves and even upside down.  When the ride is “finished”, we’re more inclined to say, “That was quite an adventure!”  But when we are in the midst of those life adventures, it is more difficult to see how the roller coaster ride ends.  I know from my experience, even my faith is a constant adventure.  There are times that I’m faithful in my prayer life and feel it’s an easy ride.  Then, for some reason, my adventure changes, mainly because I’ve taken my eyes off the reward that is awaiting me at the end of my ride – pure joy in knowing I’ve completed the ride of my life.  You most likely have witnessed firsthand (or bravely participated in) the body language of the roller coaster riders that vie for the front seats.  Their hands are fearlessly waving in the air, the look of pure jubilation on their faces, because they’re embracing their adventure.  How can we remember to do that next time?  When life gets tough and throws you and me from side to side and around every sharp curve, let’s remember to think of our adventure as a gift from God.  All our “top of the hill” moments and all the declines, are meant to mold us, strengthen our beliefs and keep our eyes focused not only on embracing those curves on our ride, but on Jesus, who is always riding with us.  He’s rooting for us to gracefully  complete the adventure of our earthly life, our hands confidently raised up towards God and waving our arms towards heaven with pure joy.

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9