From the Edges – Morning Devotions May 11, 2024
Pastor Calvin Cook
Riding Rollercoasters
Scripture focus – Psalm 30:1-3 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit
Every year about this time of the year the school district I attended through elementary into high school had a yearly school picnic at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh. It was a highlight of the year. At some point though I realized that I had grown too big for the kiddie rides and needed to move on to the big kids rides.
Kennywood has always been known for its roller coasters. I was always too little to ride them until one year when I stood against the height scale which were these little cartoon characters, I was tall enough to ride. I can’t remember that there was a lot of excitement because of this, because now I had to make the decision which one.
After consultation with my Mom, Dad, and sister the decision was made that the Jack Rabbit would be the first ride on a roller coaster. I can remember my sister Christine saying it will be just like riding the train. I have to say it was not! I liked the ride on the train, it was the only ride my Mom would get on, I felt comfort in the train, slow easy going, sitting beside my Mom, it was the best. My first ride on the Jack Rabbit was not a train ride it was more like a train wreck. I remember I thought my life was in danger. I was not ready for the quick drops and slow rises knowing that there was going to be another fast decline and surely dropping into whatever only to have to repeat the same drop soon. The comfort was in returning to the safety of the station and getting off the ride and ending up back in the presence and care of Mom and Dad.
Doesn’t this sound like life. We seem to constantly be on a roller coaster, slow rises, quick drops, unknown and unexpected twists and turns. The only consolation being the return to what makes us calm, keeps us centered, that which truly comforts us.
Unfortunately, many times we feel like we will never return to the station, to what we should be desiring in our life. We keep riding a continuous ride of ups and downs, wins and defeats, hope and desperation, we seem to never stop just to realize how important the station, the foundation is. That my dear brothers and sisters is Christ the Lord.
Psalm 30 richly describes life on a roller coaster. Life amid circumstances. David in writing this Psalm spoke about going down into the pit only to come with his whole heart, mind and soul focused back on God to find comfort and hope. Don’t we do the same thing? Continue this up and down journey in our faith when it doesn’t have to be that way.
I want to encourage you today to be quiet before the Lord and pray through Psalm 30. Read the scripture and think of places in your life when you have not trusted in the goodness of the Lord. When you have been in the pits of despair only to be rescued and brought safely to the place you need to be in the presence of God.
I love the 3rd verse which reminds that just because everyone else is desiring to live in the pit, apart from the loving care of God, doesn’t mean I or you have to follow or dwell in the same places.
Know today that you are loved by God and that God is patiently waiting for you to proclaim “You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” Psalm 30:11-12
Thoughts from the Edges 
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