Let’s face it.
In life, one ought to be definitely going somewhere. One’s intended destination
is an integral component of fulfilling one’s destiny. I suppose that’s
one reason why I never did like merry-go-rounds. As you well know, they turn 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 merry-go-rounds 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 away my breath and
generally nauseates me. Even now, thinking about it transports me to a
rather unpleasant childhood memory, which is my third reason for disfavoring merry-go-rounds.
At our annual
community picnic, one of my classmates, the late Keith Guzzie, coaxed me into
riding with him. It really didn’t look like something I wanted to do.
That merry-go-round was tall and I was small; 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 seated below. Keith took one glance at me, smirked
mischievously, then started rocking back and forth, as hard as possible,
laughing loudly and relishing my fear.
After what seemed like
a lifetime, we arrived at the bottom. With shaky sweaty palms upraised, I
jumped from my seat and vowed never to ride that merry-go-round again.
It’s a vow I have happily kept.
It occurs to me that
our lives are replete with potential for merry-go-round experiences. 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, NKJV)
Actually, some people
thrive on such circular sameness, even when it means succumbing to serial
failure that springs from our tendency to favor familiar pathways. It’s
the practical reason why Satan needs only three weapons in his arsenal of
spiritual warfare. Few are required since, for most of us, it’s not the
variety of sins that ensnares us, but the powerful pull of just one. (I John
2:16) I call it merry-go-round
syndrome, i.e. our human tendency to become mired in a quagmire of repetitious
personal issues. Indeed, it is the familiar and habitual trap that
captures and victimizes many.
I am eternally
grateful that GOD eventually endowed me with sufficient wisdom and courage to
dismount ‘the ride’ that was advertised as fun but felt more like folly and
fear. Upon exiting the merry-go-round
of life, I made the same vow I had sent heavenward as an 8-year-old boy:
“I won’t be back…no more!” Thank God for the victory and peace that
reside in the right-ride-of-life, i.e. a personal relationship with the living
and loving Lord. Please…as the old gospel song suggests, “Don’t let the
devil ride!” His is only a circular and
senseless mode of transportation.
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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