What brings tears to your eyes? What makes your heart sing? What makes you laugh hysterically or weep uncontrollably? There are things in all of our lives that take us on the 'roller coaster of emotions ride', aren't there? I'm so glad that I'm finally mature enough to realize that life isn't going to be as I planned it today, or want it to be, but it will be as my Heavenly Father planned it in His great wisdom!
There's a contemporary song entitled You Give and Take Away, written by Matt Redman, inspired by Job 1:21, "And Job said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." Here are the words of the song:
You Give and Take Away by Matt Redman
“Blessed be your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s all as it should be
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be your name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name.”
Everyday we encounter people in our church, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces who are constantly getting on and off the roller coaster of emotions. Sometimes we get on as they are leaving the ride; sometimes we find ourselves sitting next to them, sharing in the same seat of laughter or pain; sometimes they get on the ride just as we've finished ours.
Do you think about those around you who might be experiencing great pain or great joy, or are you currently stuck in the "Valley of Me?" Ask yourself this question, "Where would you be if no one had ever encouraged you on or off of the roller coaster of life, or held your hand when you thought you couldn't take the ride one more time?"
Today my daughter made me aware of a young boy and girl who are riding the roller coaster of sickness and pain - not only them, but their family as well. Their parents have asked Christians everywhere to join them as they sit beside their children in the seat of cancer, praying for a miracle. You will find their story @ http://tammynischan.blogspot.com/2008/08/jericho-march-for-nick-and-natalie.html
Their Jericho march begins Monday, August 18. The concept may sound unusual or even corny at first, I know it did to me, but as I looked deeper and deeper into the idea of such a march, I became aware of things in my own life and family that would benefit greatly from such a focused time of prayer and concentration on God's Word.
As I think about Nick and Natalie's struggle, I'm reminded of a song our kids sang during vacation Bible school this year, called, You Never Let Go:
You Never Let Go by Matt Redman
Even though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death,
Your perfect love is casting out fear.
And even when I´m caught in the middle
Of the storms of this life,
I won´t turn back;
I know You are near.
And I will fear no evil,
For my God is with me.
And if my God is with me,
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
O no, You never let go,
Through the calm and through the storm
O no, You never let go,
In every high and every low
O no, You never let go,
Lord You never let go of me.
And I can see a light that is coming
for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare.
And there will be an end to these troubles,
But until that day comes,
We´ll live to know
You here on the earth.
Yes, I can see a light that is coming
For the heart that holds on,
And there will be an end To these troubles,
But until that day comes,
Still I will praise You,
Still I will praise You. "
In closing, I turned back to the last verse of Job chapter one, which reads: "In all of this, Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong." I'm not really sure what the plot is to all of my ramblings, the scriptures or songs I've chosen to include here, only God, the Son and the Holy Spirit knows who these words are meant for. God is the giver and taker of life. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He gives us grace for our days and strength for our nights. I guess what I'm really trying to say is, "Isn't it time we believe what He says and let him have his way in our lives even if it means riding a roller coaster of emotions today?"
- author, Cindy Daniels
