Message from Pastor Karyn for December 2019
It is no secret that my happy place is Disneyland. It is one of the places I still make sure I visit when I go to California. A few weeks ago I was gifted with a book called “Disney Devotionals”. I was so excited! The theology is a little off, but it did help me reflect a little about my recent visit to Disney and life, particularly a life of faith.
My brother-in-law chose to join me on my most recent jaunt to Disney, which was great fun. He wasn’t so sure he would get anything out of roller coasters, he has jumped out of airplanes after all, but we soon found out that he LOVES roller coasters. One of our last rides was on Space Mountain, or as they call it now Hyperspace Mountain (insert eye roll). Holy moly, that ride is fast!
Space Mountain was the first fully indoor rollercoaster. It has two tracks and can reach speeds up to and probably exceeding if my last ride through is any indication, 30 miles an hour. It is also done completely in the dark. You cannot see where you are going: when there will be a turn or a drop or a moment of reprieve as you head up a small hill. There are moments when your adrenaline spikes in absolute glee or in absolute terror and times when you can catch your breath.
As I reflected later that evening while I was enjoying my dinner on Main St, USA, I realized that life, especially life in faith or ministry, is a lot like Space Mountain. We don’t always know what we are doing, we don’t always know where the Spirit is going to lead us, sometimes we are experiencing glee, sometimes terror. Sometimes we have moments to catch our breath and sometimes there are moments when things are moving so fast your just hold on and try not to squeal.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge God, and God will make straight your paths.
Life might feel like a ride on Space Mountain, and we might have very little idea about what is ahead, but we have the most amazing gift: Jesus. Jesus the Christ who walks alongside us, who reminds us that our God will never forsake us, who is a fount of grace and love in a life that can feel void of it. Jesus who reminds us that even on those days when we are pretty sure we can’t do this life of faith another moment, provides us what we need to keep going. Jesus who makes our paths straight even with the twists and turns the world throws our way. This is what I hold on to each day.
