Do you have days where faith feels like a roller coaster ride?
The ups, the downs, the stomach-in-your-mouth turns?
If you’re silently whispering me too, you’re not alone.
We click along fine, the kind of fine that pulls out of the gate nice and easy, slow and steady.
Click.
Click.
Click.
The coaster clicks along the track, gaining speed as time progresses. Can you feel the breeze in your hair as the scenery whizzes by?
Hey, this is easy. This is do-able. Life is good. I like this walk of faith.
Then, wham!
A stomach-in-the-mouth dip jumps on us. We gasp for breath, taken aback by the surprise.
Where did that come from?
Why did they do that?
Why did she say that?
Why can’t I ever get it right?
Why did he treat me like that?
Like Peter, we follow Jesus. Eternity is not in question. We love our Savior. But there’s distance in that faith follow.
When the challenges come, we whip out our sword of self-will.
Like Peter facing Malchus, the servant at Jesus’ arrest (John 18), we do what seems rational, protective, or reactive in situations.
Entertaining hurt feelings.
Gossiping, often slyly known as “discussing” or “a prayer request”.
Avoidance.
Lashing out in anger.
Like Peter when the cock crowed, we’re left with a batch of denial. Maybe tears, too.
Oh, I understand. How many times I’ve run with my own solutions versus faith, grabbing that sword and slicing away.
I’ve been a Peter.
- I’ve answered without praying. More times than I’d ever like to think.
- Walked without consulting. It’s the strong-willed child syndrome.
- Reacted without drawing near. Just do something!
But as with Peter, Jesus awaits you and me.
There’s hope. In His mercy, Jesus sees past those roller coaster rides.
He forgives. Just ask.
- The dips we caused and those we didn’t
- Not-s0-righteous reactions
- Every single sword slice we mustered.
With faithfulness, He waits.
Because heaven is on the horizon.
With love, He coaxes for a sword set-down.
And He asks:
Do you love me?
Take care of my sheep.
Do you love me?
Feed my sheep.
Do you love me?
Follow me. (John 21)
Peter did. He left the rollercoaster ride, setting down his sword, and followed in faith.
We can too.
We can leave the ride and lead people to the Jesus well, the one where never a soul goes thirsty. Ever.
With faith, drink it in. And pass the cup.
Even in the dips, twists, turns, and curves, this is worship beyond surface level.
It’s deep calling out to deep.
It’s faith walking into maturity – the place where the dips, curves, twists, and turns become less tumultuous. It’s where confidence rises, dependence even more, where words are strong, and motives are purely Jesus.
The sword set-down in faith is a place where the Holy Spirit equips and lives are changed. What does it look like in real life? It might be:
~Taking care of his sheep
Mentor
Be a friend
Reach out to stranger and favorites alike, even when it’s uncomfortable.
~Feeding others
Pray with others – one-on-one, in groups, via email or message, or simply by yourself in the solo prayer closet
Send encouraging texts, emails, phone calls, and cards
Do what needs to be done, with convenience set aside.
~Follow Jesus…in Faith
Prayer
Obedience
Worship
Offering
Outreach.
There is one lifeline for me concerning this recently as I’m learning to apply it to everyday, seemingly simple dips in the roller coaster ride of life.
When I want to be hurt, I go to it.
Angry? This too.
Frustrated? Yes.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says just trust me I’ve got this. Recite it well, my friend, as you follow closely.
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP
Linking up, writing encouraging words, with the go-getters-for-Jesus at:
#TestimonyTuesday
#IntentionalTuesday
#RaRaLinkUp
#TellHisStory
#CoffeeforYourHeart
#Woman2WomanWednesday and
#livefreeThursday
Beautiful words and practical ideas, Kristi, that inspire me to lead others because I have followed Jesus. “But to lead, we must learn to follow. Follow Jesus. To go and “make,” we must “partake.” Partake of Jesus. The Bread of Life.” Ready to pause and partake of Him this day.
Thank you for inspiring others with your words at #IntentionalTuesday.
Thank you, Crystal. #GoJesus!
Kristi, so lovely to connect with you through Holly’s linkup today. I loved what you shared here — and am thankful for His grace on days when the ride is wilder than usual. Blessings 🙂
Thanks for visiting, Lyli.Yes, yes, thankful for the grace on those wilder than usual days. Amen.
Such a wonderful encouragement… how many times have I read these commands from Christ, and then turned around and undid all of His love with one swipe of my sword of self? I’m sure it’s been way too many. I’ll be hanging on to this for a bit!
Visiting from the #RaRaLinkup, Kristi, and wishing all God’s best for your day!
Hi Christine! You’re always a joy in the comments. 🙂 Wishing God’s best to you as well.
Stopping over from Woman 2 Woman- enjoyed your post this morning.:)
Hi Katie! So glad you stopped by.
Kristi, yes, I understand what this rollercoaster of faith is like! Thank you for the helpful reminders! #IntententionalTuesday
Yes, those rollercoasters. Thank God for smoother days. Thanks for stopping by.
“Just trust” – oh, yes! For a long time, I cried, “Help! Help!” – and then when I learned trust, I just asked Him to “stand with me” because I trusted. Sweet encouragement in your post! So glad I stopped by!
Trust…it’s better than gold. Love hearing His work in your life. Thanks for stopping in.
Kristi,
I have a super soft spot in my heart for Peter. Maybe because I can relate so well to him? I love that God doesn’t use perfect people to be the rock of his church. His grace covers our moments of fallout that are guaranteed to happen. What a great illustration of the sword at the garden. Thank you for sharing!
Yes, His grace. His grace. Thanks for stopping by, Samantha.
I smile when I think of how much like Peter I am. When we look at how God used him, it gives me great hope! Great thoughts today:) Thank you for sharing!
Underneath it all, I think Peter gives all of us hope. Thank you, Jesus! Thanks for stopping by, Kristine.
Peter will always be one of my favorites because of his impulsive reactions. He led from the heart. Later, wisdom and maturity took that same heart and grounded it and used him as a leader among many. What a beautiful story of how God can take my impulsive heart and do the same.
Am so there with you, Suzie. Thank you, Lord. Thanks for popping in.
I love that Peter, and many other ‘heros’ of the Bible, were far from perfect, and yet God used such people in mighty ways. I find the James 5:17 encouraging, “Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” (NLT). Elijah was one of the greatest prophets who ever lived, and yet we are reminded that he was human, just as we are human. You see, it was not Elijah or Abraham, or Peter, who were great; it is God who has been the hero all along, working mightily through those who are willing to walk in obedience.
Blessings,
Kamea
Yes, Kamea, I love that God uses the imperfect.There’s hope. 🙂 Loved having you visit.
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Kristi, beautiful response to #livefree today! I need to work on ‘feeding others’ better. Thanks for the encouragement today. Kim
http://www.kimstewartinspired.com
You’re welcome, Kim. Love having you visit. 🙂