Let’s face it. In life, we ought to always be going
somewhere since our intended destination is an integral component of
actualizing God-designed destiny. That’s one reason why I never cared so
much for Ferris Wheels. They traverse in wide circles; they move up and
down; yet they never travel anywhere. Their entry and exit points are
virtually one and the same.
There is a second reason why Ferris Wheels are not my cup of
tea. Although going up is a blast (take-offs are always lots of fun), I
loathe that weightless and sinking feeling at the crest of the downward
descent. It takes my breath away and sickens me. Even now, thinking
about it transports me to a rather unpleasant childhood memory, which is my
third reason for disliking Ferris wheels.
At our annual Monessen Community Picnic, one of my now deceased
former classmates, Keith Guzzie, coaxed me into riding along with him. At
first glance, it really didn’t look like something I wanted to do. That
Ferris Wheel was dauntingly tall and I was comparatively small. Also, we
were only in the 3rd grade and I had never ridden one before.
To my detriment, I was totally transparent about my anxiety, and outwardly
filled with trepidation as we sailed rapidly through the air. Keith loved
it; I hated it! Worse yet, when time came to disembark, we were stuck at
the top while the operator slowly released riders one-by-one below. Keith
took one glance at me, smirked mischievously, then started rocking back and
forth, as hard as possible, laughing loudly and apparently relishing my
apparent fear.
After what seemed like a lifetime, we finally arrived at the
bottom. With shaky and sweaty palms upraised, I jumped from my seat and
vowed never to ride the Ferris Wheel again. It’s one vow I have happily
kept.
It occurs to me that life is replete with potential to emulate
that Ferris Wheel experience. One might say that it’s the circular and
cyclical nature of the beast. As Solomon wisely observed, “That which has
been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN.”
(Ecclesiastes 1:9)
Actually, some people seem to thrive on what I call “CIRCULAR SAMENESS.” That is, succumbing to serial failures that
spring from our human tendency to tread familiar paths and passages. It’s
the practical reason why Satan needs only three weapons in his arsenal of
spiritual warfare. (I John 2:16) Only a relative few are required to introduce
the possibility of spiritual paralysis, since (for most of us) it is not the
variety of sin that ensnares us, but the powerful pull of JUST ONE. I
call it “FERRIS WHEEL SYNDROME,”
i.e. one’s tendency to become mired in the repetitious and destructive quagmire
of a specific personal issue. Indeed, it is the usual, customary and
familiar traps that capture our attention and victimize so many.
I am eternally grateful that GOD (eventually) endowed me with
sufficient wisdom, tenacity and courage to dismount those ‘life-rides’ that are
disguised as fun but are mobilized by folly and fear. Upon exiting my
customized FERRIS WHEEL OF LIFE,
I made a heartfelt vow - similar to one I had sent heavenward as an 8-year-old
boy – “I WON’T BE BACK…NO MORE!”
Thank God for the victory and freedom that resides in THE RIGHT-RIDE-OF-LIFE, which is simply
embracing a dedicated relationship with our LOVING AND LIVING LORD.
Sisters and
brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE
READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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