Life lately has felt like a roller coaster. It has gone up and down, taken unexpected turns, gone upside down, suddenly accelerated and then come to a screeching halt. It has even felt like it stopped and went down backwards because the tracks were torn up ahead.
A couple weeks ago, as I was praying with my team, suddenly an image came to my mind – yes, we are on a roller coaster, but God is our harness. Not a dinky seatbelt, but an over-the-head, super secure harness that locks you in and doesn’t let you go. Because the harness is secure, I am free to put my hands in the air. I am free to breathe. I can relax and enjoy the ride. Sometimes there are sudden drops, and I hold tight to my harness. Whether I’m holding on or not, the harness holds me tight. I am free to laugh, and I am free to cry. Sometimes I will even get nauseous or blackout. No matter what, the harness is holding me tightly.
A few years ago, God told me that in all of the uncertainty, he is my only certainty. I am clinging to that truth again in this season. But do you know what is super cool? I have recently noticed a pattern throughout the Bible. Here are some examples of it:
"That night the LORD appeared to him and said, 'I am the God of our father Abraham. Do not be afraid for I am with you.'" Genesis 26:24
"'But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?' And God said, 'I will be with you.'" Exodus 3:11-12
"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:8
"This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
"'But Lord,' Gideon replied, 'how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!' The LORD said to him, 'I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.'" Judges 6:16
"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Our rod and your staff are close beside me." Psalm 23:4
"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand...Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you." Isaiah 41:10, 13
"But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you...Do not be afraid, for I am with you." Isaiah 43:1, 2, 5
"'Alas, Sovereign LORD, I said, 'I do not know how to speak; I am too young.' But the LORD said to me, ‘Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the LORD." Jeremiah 1:6-8
"'Do not fear the king of Babylon anymore,’ says the LORD. 'For I am with you and will save you and rescue you from his power.'" Jeremiah 42:11
"'Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, for I am with you,’ says the LORD." Jeremiah 46:28
"But now the LORD says: Be strong Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid." Haggai 2:4-5
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth...When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you." John 14:16, 17, 20
"One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, 'Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.'" Acts 18:9,10
So, even though I have no idea where this coaster is headed, I can take courage and not fear, for HE is with me, holding me fast. In fact, Jesus’ last recorded earthly words were, "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age," (Matthew 28:20). So I can breathe, let go of control, and trust that he will carry me wherever I am supposed to go.