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Seat belt.

Is there anyone else out there right now that kinda feels like you and your emotions have stepped onto a rollercoaster without a definite end in sight?   We started this ride together with the whole wide world as fellow passengers.  We began full of uncertainty and inexperience of what this ride might entail and where it would take us.  It's as if we started the first climb of the biggest hill of anticipation in March and now in May we are a little frazzled, disoriented and wondering what is to come after the current hill we are climbing.  Our emotions can take us on some wild rides like this and really threatened to suck the joy from our lives when we ride them up and down....up and down....up and down.

Isaiah 41:13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

This past week I feel like so much of social media has been adding to this up and down...up and down.  One day you read an article that says this...you should believe this, question that...feel this way.  Another post shared by a facebook friend evokes arguments amongst friends and/or stirs feelings inside others of anger or sadness or grief or anxiety.  So many opinions and so many experts and we are left trying to sift through information and determine truth.  There is so much extra "input" for all of us during this time of social distancing via that little device you hold in your hand.  During times like this, it is more obvious to me that the whole world is searching for something that will settle our hearts, calm our fears and help us to breath a little deeper.   So I've been asking myself some questions: is the world seeing me walk this out and learning to trust God more?  Is what I am saying and sharing via social media encouraging those around me or adding to their stress?  It's my prayer that in my own figuring this out and practicing this daily, others will seek alongside me for the peace and comfort found in Christ.  Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." I don't want my own flesh, selfish desires and opinions to be louder than my love for the people around me.  Through this time I keep re-learning daily to trust more in God's peace, His faithfulness and His love for me.  He has proved Himself faithful time and time again throughout my life.  Even at times when I was on rides that turned everything upside-down, He was there.  When I was on the top of the world and feeling great, His steady and constant presence was there whether I acknowledged it or not.  

So what do we rely on to keep us safe on a rollercoaster? It's the seat belt.  The seat belt that safely secures me on the most terrifying rollercoaster rides is there for a reason.  It keeps me in place.  I depend on it to hold fast when everything else around me seems to be spinning out of control.  When I reach the top and am feeling great, the seat belt is still there reminding me that it will continue to be there when the bottom drops out.  It helps calm my fears of what lies ahead. I trust it.  Makes me think about the seat belt I rely on during this, if you will, Covid-coaster. Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.  How can I still find peace when I know those up and down feelings are going to come?  How can I rest assured that someone or something has still "got" me during this time of uncertainty? I trust in the only thing that has been faithful time and time again--God's faithfulness to ride with me wherever I go and to hold fast to me, even when I feel out of control.

Isaiah 43:2-3 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and the flame will not scorch you.  For I am the Lord your God and Savior.

Help us, Lord to rely on you daily.  Help us to see you as that seat belt that is so near and always there even when the ride seems rough or wildly out of control.  And help us to share with others that peace that comes from depending on You.  Help us Lord to do everything in love using our freedom as an opportunity to serve one another.
Amen.

Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.-C.S. Lewis


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