I’m going to get into a little science here, so bear with me; this knowledge will make sense in a little bit.
Physics principle: gravitational force equivalent (g-force) is a measurement of acceleration, expressing force on an object as a multiple of the Earth’s gravity. Translation: it is the force felt when making abrupt moves and is felt in multiples of your own weight. It is the force that keeps you pinned to the seat of the roller coaster when it goes upside down, and while you would normally fall out of your seat when inverted, the acceleration forward outperforms the gravity pulling you down.
Why is this relevant? Well, aside from science not disproving God but merely being the tools by which He does His work (more on that later), you can draw a parallel between the occasionally chaotic nature of life and the force that keeps you alive during what may normally kill you.
After all, what sane person would sign up to ride a car down a bit of track and be subjected to twists, turns, and inversions that risk injury or death to the unlucky soul taking the mandatory video game mine cart ride in real life? You’ll find a surprising amount of folks will, but only because they trust the maker. The theme park has hired a team of architects and engineers to make a ride that is thrilling enough for you to ride, and safe enough for you to live to tell about it. You put your trust in these people whom you’ve never met, have not reviewed their credentials, and never seen their work, and yet hundreds of millions of people a year put their lives in the hands of these people.
Now then, it would hardly be an enjoyable ride were you cocooned in a tangle of bubble wrap and racecar harness to prevent any movement, so how then to play the game? You play it by using the laws of science to create safety that must be experienced, as it is unseen before then. So, you find yourself held in your seat by a bar that holds you securely enough to let you on the ride, but when you’re corkscrew turning at 70 mph you’re not held in place by the bar so much as the acceleration of the ride. Of course, you’re not thinking actively about your method of safety, only enjoying the terror and speed.
For you dot-connectors out there, you’ll already know where I’m going: life is dangerous, but the Maker makes it survivable. With His guidance and playing by His rules, you’ll be far more able to enjoy the turns without true fear of expiration. Life will put you in positions you would normally never choose. I can vouch for that personally, as the loss of friends and family tears the heart, the loss of goals disillusions the mind, and the loss of stability weakens the spirit…and yet, there is a strength upon which we can rely when such circumstances are pushed upon us. The strength of the Maker’s will, the intricate design of His plan, the journey that takes you through places you would rather forget, yet you come through it wiser, stronger, humbler, more of whatever you must be for having endured that.
Is it dangerous? Absolutely; the human body does not normally plummet a hundred feet and survive, and the ego will take some bruising when grand plans don’t work out. Is there a level of reality to the trauma you suffer? Certainly; the body feels the adrenaline and compressive forces, and the heart will feel the loss of loved ones. However, through the experience we also find thrills and joy, the views that take our breaths, the excitement before a big move, and the satisfaction of a completed run with a wish to go again.
Life is a roller coaster, but the God-force will keep you from death if you trust it and get on the ride. Believe that the Maker knows what He’s doing, strap in, and let Him take you on the ride of your life, and you’ll know you’re doing it right when you can throw your hands up and cheer at the most terrifying parts. Worship in the midst of danger and fear is perhaps the most evident sign of faith. Instead of gripping what little control you think you have (like holding the handle will keep you from flying off the track if the ride breaks?), to send your hands skyward and yell with joy proves the ultimate trust in the creator and his plan. What craftsman doesn’t want to see people enjoying his workmanship with ultimate belief in the product, the faith that it will work precisely as designed, and living like fear has no place while using it? How much more does our heavenly Father? An engineer builds a ride that lasts a few moments and does it for a paycheck. God builds a life that opens into eternity and does it for community with your soul. Will you get in line?
If you don’t already have your cross-shaped ticket, I encourage you to read the book of John in the Bible. It shows the communion of souls that Jesus came to suffer and die to bring into being once again.
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