Tripping Over Typeset

I’m one who likes to be in control– the planner of the schedule – the writer of the menu.

I’m one who doesn’t particularly like “surprises” in the journey.

I’m reminded of those amusement park river rafting rides.  The ones where we sit in the large round inner tube with 6 to 8 seats with a wheel in the middle. We strap ourselves in for the ride, not knowing if we’re going to come out drenched or just sprinkled with a few drops of water.

I’ve seen some jump into these inner tubes of splashing fun and try to maneuver this massive rubber tube floating down the channels of water.

We toil and strive, trying to steer it away from the water jets that are designed to spray us with water.

With complete futility, we labor. We struggle to slow it down or somehow stop the raft before it plunges over the waterfall and drenches us completely.

No matter how much we maneuver around to keep from getting wet, the creator of the ride designed and built this amusement contraption to sprinkle, splash and sometimes completely drench us in the process.

Getting wet is inevitable.

The builder of the ride created some areas where the smooth, flowing current dips and curves and we take in the pretty landscaping. But around some of the bends there are rougher rapids, gushes of water and drenching waterfalls.

The ride is designed to get us wet. It was in the designer’s plan. It’s part of the ride.

Our comfort comes in knowing the designer also created an end to the ride and provided a way for our safe arrival.

Sometimes through this journey of life, we are on rides we just don’t like.

Some of us are enjoying the smooth flowing rapids while others are heading towards some drenching waterfalls.

The encouragement and assurance come when we rest in knowing our Father directs our way.

He brings us through the rapids, the surprise gushers, and sometimes drenching waterfalls.

And as we trust His directed path we have the assurance of knowing this ride…trial…testing… it will come to an end. We will come to a place of calmer waters. We will make it to the end…He has designed it that way.

The other guarantee is we will be changed. We won’t be the same as when we got on the ride.

The ride and journey will change us. We will be different. We will grow.

While I’m careening down that river raft ride, I’ve learned I can handle the ride better if I let anxiety and worry go.

I really can’t control or maneuver that ride nor can I stop it from drenching me with water.

But I can rest in knowing the Designer is in control. He directs the ride and He is directing our way.

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)

Jump into the conversation:

• What kind of ride are you on now?
• Where are you finding encouragement for this part of the ride?
• How can we pray for you?

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