Christian Hedonism - Pt 6

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:1-5 ESV).

When I was much younger (and some would argue much dumber), Mary and I took the boys to Disney World. One of the first rides we took was Space Mountain. I can’t imagine a time in my life when I would voluntarily allow myself to be strapped into a series of cars to ride off into the darkness up and down and all around! Perhaps I was tricked into the ride by the incessant requests of my children who said, “Come on, Dad! It will be fun!” It was certainly different from being ferried from one cherubic scene to another as happy children sang “It’s a Small World!” I had ridden roller coasters before, so, how bad could it be? I followed the family trustingly behind. Blind trust accurately describes the only reason I remained in that serpentine line winding slowly past signs that warned If you have a heart condition, do not ride this ride, and If you are prone to anxiety attacks, panic disorders, or fainting spells, do not ride this ride. Not even the sign that said Secure your hats and glasses prior to entering clued me in to what was ahead. Finally it was our turn, and the attendant directed me to the front seat in the front car. My new husband sat immediately behind me. I buckled in, the attendant checked my seat belt, and I settled back for the ride. Must be a constellation show, I thought, noticing that the room on the other side of the small doorway through which we would soon travel was dark. And, that’s the last pleasant memory I have of Space Mountain. Life often chugs along smoothly. We have money in the bank, our bodies are healthy, and our relationships with friends and family are strong. But sometimes the sky grows dark. Uncertainty looms. The bottom drops out from under us, and we wonder if the slender cord we’re trusting in is enough to hold us. Worse yet, we wonder if the One in whom we’re trusting might not be worthy of our trust. Even worse, we wonder if it was He who buckled us into the very car that will carry us to our destruction? Have we been tricked? Blindsided? Betrayed? Thankfully God’s Word answers these questions for us: Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning (v. 5). If you feel like you’re on a roller coaster in the dark today, I pray these truths will comfort and encourage you. When all is said and done, and we have reflected on as many wonderful biblical realities as we can, and we have cried out with David for the restoration of our joy, our biblical lot is to wait for the Lord. We are not to despair. That is the way of the Christian Hedonist… and it works! He will get you to the end of the ride perfectly safe and secure, forever in heaven!