Elizabeth and I were headed to Disney World — just the two of us — when it hit me: I’m going to have to ride Tower of Terror. Our previous visits to Disney had been in the company of a larger group, and I would always offer to go find snacks and cool beverages while the rest of the entourage enjoyed a thirteen-story drop or two. That wasn’t going to work this time. Tower of Terror was Elizabeth’s favorite ride, and I was her only travel companion. Not only would we have to ride together, but once would not be enough.
My daughter is a wise, cautious young woman whose decisions are made with much thought and prayer. She walks in faith and not in fear. When she became a Tower of Terror fan, it was by careful choice. She knew she was in a park run by a reputable company that maintained the safety of their rides. She fully intended to follow the rules put in place to keep her safe, like buckling her seatbelt and remaining in her seat. Beyond that, she was ready to ride, and she would definitely have her hands up in the air.
Not me. I don’t like speed. I don’t like heights. And I definitely don’t like thirteen-story drops. But I do like my daughter, so off we went, or rather, down we went. I held on for dear life, gripping the bar in front of me as if it were my only hope for survival. When the ride was over, Elizabeth was grinning with delight, and I was silently sighing with relief. Then we rode again. You might think a second ride would be easier, as the drops would become more familiar, predictable even. Oh, no. The makers of this tower of torture had it all figured out. A computer program randomized the drops so that no matter how many times you rode, you never knew what was coming.
Fast forward about five years. I was just beginning a whirlwind week of activity leading up to the marriage of our son Tony to the girl of his dreams. I stepped out of the shower, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the hours of preparation ahead and contemplating all the details that might not work out according to plan. But then I heard a still small voice say, “Ride with your hands up,” and I knew exactly what that meant.
When we ride roller coasters, we can ride one of two ways: we can grip the safety bar until our hands cramp, or we can raise our hands in the air and savor the moment. Either way, we’ll be safe. Holding on doesn’t really keep us in our seats. The harness does. Those who panic and those who relax all end up at the same place by the end of the ride. It’s the designer of the ride, not the rider, who determines where the roller coaster is going to go, and everybody gets a little tossed around along the way. Some people even enjoy that.
If you throw your arms up in the air on a roller coaster, you just might have more fun. Isn’t that true about life as well? Have you put your faith in God and asked Him to be the Lord of your life? Do you seek to follow His rules, to live as you know He wants you to live?
Then ride, lady, ride! Throw your hands up in the air in praise, in trust, and in joy. You aren’t going to fly out of that roller coaster, and holding on until your knuckles hurt isn’t going to make you any safer. It’s just going to make you sore.
No, you won’t always know what’s coming. And sometimes you’re going to get tossed around and wonder when things will calm down again. But that’s okay. The One who designed your ride has it all under control, regardless of how it looks from the top of the biggest drop. So, embrace the adventure with our Lord in charge! Smile, trust, relax, and ride with your hands up!
What adventures do you plan on going on this year with God?
Smile, trust, relax, and ride with your hands up on your adventure with God! -Brenda Koinis: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Brenda, you have given me a gift today! This year is shaping up to be full of adventure–very good things–and yet out of my comfort zone and riddled with the unknown. Even though I know God has prepared the way for me, I’ve still been harboring a white-knuckle mentality about it all, never even thinking that I can ride with my hands up in the air. Up they go, Brenda! I’m going to be thinking about this post for a long time!
I’ve found that the “out of my comfort zone” days are the ones when, if I throw my hands up, I see God’s grace in the greatest measure. May you find that true all year! Brenda
Brenda,
Over my lifetime, I think one of the biggest lessons God has been teaching me is to not try to control everything with a white knuckle grip, but to let go – trusting that He has everything (including me) under control. Actually a roller coaster is a good analogy for riding with God. We don’t “drive” the coaster. We don’t determine the dips and turns. Our “job” if you will is to trust the system, God’s system, and as much as we can, put our hands up and enjoy the ride. To answer your question, I don’t know what adventures I’m going on with God this year. I haven’t a clue. For the past several years I had plans in my calendar only to have them erased by injuries and surgeries, so I guess you could say, “I’m keeping the calendar wide open.” I filled things in with pencil which allows for God to change those plans. I can make my plans, but it is the Lord who determines my steps. Great reminders here this am!! Kudos for “Tower of Terror” sweet mom 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xx
I’ve had those sort of “all plans are off” years, too. Now I try to write as many of my plans in pencil as possible, staying aware that we never know what God has in store. Thanks so much for your encouraging comments! Brenda
This really speaks to me! Thank you.
Thanks for commenting. ‘So glad to know this was an encouragement to you today!
Wow! That analogy is spot on. Thank you! It took me quite a few trips to Disney before I would venture onto some of the bigger rides….and it is WAY more fun with your hands up, letting yourself feel the joy! Disney is one of my happy places so I’m hoping your words stick with me during the roller coaster of life
Your comment is a great analogy in itself. It takes a few tries before we let go of our grip on lots of things in life, doesn’t it? (And I love Disney, too!) Brenda
Ha ha ha! Good for y’all riding roller coasters! I’m sorry I admit I despise them!! I’m more of the slower carousel type of woman
Although the last time I rode the beautiful carousel here in Raleigh it was speeding around and around so much that I had to keep my eyes on my little granddaughters feet! Life is speeding by you can say and I don’t white knuckle it most days when I put Jesus at the helm… I can trust the ride!\0/ hands up sisters:)
Jesus at the helm. That says it all! Brenda
A wonderful, unique, and timely analogy! Thank you…
Thank you! Your kind words are a great encouragement. Brenda
It is a reassuring truth you share with us today, and a solid reason to enjoy our life more with God in control. Thank you for the valuable reminder, I needed it.
Love, Lynn
I write the reminders I need the most! ‘So true that we can enjoy our life more with God in control! Thanks for commenting. Brenda
“Some One” is trying to tell me something! I receive these emails daily, but things have been crazy at work and I’ve been working overtime…so many of the posts have been deleted so that my Inbox doesn’t get overwhelming. This one didn’t get deleted, it was read. Interesting that I’m also currently reading (for the first time) “Hinds’ Feet on High Places” and very quickly recognized that I relate strongly to the main character “Much Afraid”. At nearly 58 years old, I think it’s time to put control, and my trust, where it belongs instead of holding on with white knuckles.
Ah, Ellen! I was that “Much Afraid” person for such a long time. God used his Holy Word and the writings of a wise woman named Hannah to free me and show me how to ride with my hands up. Praying right now that he’ll do the same for you! Brenda
Ellen,
Yes. Put your trust in God. He will take that fear away. Raise your hands high in the air & say God take control of my life. Lead me where you will. Let go & let God have the reins. He will take you on the journey He has planned out for you!
Blessings 🙂
Amen! Great recap. Well said! Brenda
How many times does Scripture talk about raising our hands in praise and worship to God? We can and should have our hand up high!!! Thank you for this wonderful analogy. I love it. ❤️❤️
I thought what Sadie put at the end of her comment was so cute! \0/ Hands up, sisters! ☺️
Amen, Dianne!
Thanks, Dianne, for adding the element of praise! Great point! Brenda
Oh, my goodness, Brenda! What a glorious challenge. Hands up! Warmest thanks for this today!
Thanks, Patricia. I’m challenges as well, and so glad to know this resonated with you! Brenda
I love this message. Thank you!
Hands up! Might be your next book. Or mugs or T-shirts. I’d buy all three. Such a picture of both joy and surrender.
Thank you, my dear friend, the one who first talked about seeing diamonds in the sidewalk!
Brenda,
I’m not a roller coaster fan at all. Don’t like heights or dips & curves. Over the past few years God has been teaching me patience & perseverance. He has grown my faith immensely with the trials I’ve encountered. Not sure what God has planned for me this year. It has started out interesting with a separation notice from a part-time job. For once I wasn’t upset. I knew full well that God has better plans for me than that. I guess you could say I raised my hands high in air & said let’s go God. Sure I have tough moments in my days, but not for long. God needs to be in the driver’s seat of everyone’s life. He is the engineer taking us on this journey. We just need to listen, obey & go along for the wild ride complete with speed, heights & plenty of dips. Thanks for a great analogy.
Happy 2019!~ Blessings 🙂
This is wonderful, Brenda! I’m a bar-gripper too with white knuckles and tense muscles. I can just hear God whispering, “Ride with your hands up” and I get it too. I need to stop being fearful about so many things and trust the One who created this ride. Thank you!! I’m going to keep going forward with my hands up! Blessings to you!
As long as we keep listening to His whispers and trusting him, we’ll defeat that fear that the enemy tries to throw at us each day! Blessings right back to you! Brenda
GREAT metaphor, Brenda! With you I want to smile, trust, relax, and ride with my hands up! (Love those verbs, too. ‘Going to print them on a Post-it for my desk!)
That post it is a great idea. I think I’ll do the same! Brenda
Brenda, I love this!!
As an avid Disney FANATIC, I can say I’ve sat front row on the Tower of Terror multiple times. But each time I ride it differently. Sometimes I’m freaking out and I won’t let go of the bar. Other times my hands fly up in the air (*and grab my neighbor’s hand who is also braving it…* don’t worry, I usually know them 😉 )
But I completely agree, it’s more fun when we let go and enjoy the ride. Thank you for this fun and inspiring metaphor. Your words were perfect.
Riding right along with you,
Becky 🙂
‘Glad you liked the post. You make a good point as well. We don’t always ride the same way…Life is a learning curve! Brenda
Brenda,
Our marriage and life-journey together have been (and continues to be!) so fun, rewarding and impactful. Thank you for keeping God first in our lives together!
Way to go Steve! I’m also blessed (now) with a God fearing husband!
How thoughtful and intentional you are to respond with love and affirmations to your sweet wife
Blessed weekend to you both \0/