One thing that I enjoyed growing up is roller coasters…which is odd because I am kind of fearful of being on high unstable heights such as being on the roof of a house or a tall ladder. Yet, I think the reality of being locked in and seeing others go on the ride before me calms my nerves enough to enjoy it.

The picture above is of Cedar Point, which has 18 roller coasters now, and is often referred to as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World”. Since it is in Sandusky, Ohio I had the privilege of going to it several times and riding its great coasters while I lived in Ohio. I think one of the most exhilarating feelings is when you get to the top of the first big hill on a roller coaster right before you go over the edge. It is the waiting, the anticipation, that fills you with excitement!

One of the rides at CP that is interesting is the tallest coaster to your left which looks very narrow. This is the top thrill dragster and it is very unique as it is not a very long ride but when it was built in 2003 it was the world’s tallest roller coaster, the world’s fastest roller coaster, and the world’s tallest roller coaster drop. Now, with many coasters you begin by slowly going up a big hill, then after you go down the big hill your speed picks up significantly. However, with the Top Thrill Dragster, you start at a standstill, and then you are launched to 120 mph in 4 seconds! This burst of speed pushes you to the top of the 420 ft. tall coaster. Another interesting thing with this coaster because of its height, speed, and size is that occasionally the ride will blast the passengers up to the very top of the coaster, and then it will roll all the way back down to the beginning again….now that is not something you usually expect! It could happen just because the coaster didn’t get enough starting speed, or the wind, or various other reasons beyond my understanding. So, when you ride the Top Thrill Dragster and you get to the very top there is this part of you that is not only anticipating going down this incredibly large hill but there is also the possibility that you could start rolling backward!

So, what does this have anything to do with our lives? I think we easily get used to how things are in our lives, we become comfortable and familiar. Even in situations that are challenging we get accustomed to. Sometimes we will find ourselves clinging to things in our lives not because they are the best for us but because it is what we know. Even with going on a thrilling ride like a roller coaster our brain says, “We are supposed to go up the hill and then down, not speed backwards to the beginning! That’s not how that works!”

So today I want to encourage you to take a step of faith, take a new journey, take a risk, go on a new adventure! As the saying goes, “If you always do what you’ve always done you will always get what you’ve always got”, and yet even that is not true totally. Because we find something that works well in our lives for a season, and then will come a time when it no longer works so well. So, today seek God, listen to the Spirit, follow in the footsteps of Jesus and be willing to go over the edge of the old to journey into the new!