The Lap Bar Does Not Always Keep You Safe

I am not much of a thrill seeker. I have no desire to step out of a perfectly safe airplane or jump off a cliff tethered to a harness only secured by a rubber band. Fast motorcycles, not my cup of tea either. I do however like roller coasters, so long as the lap bar keeps me safe and secure in my seat. Let me explain.
 
When Robyn and I were dating we often went to Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, which was near her hometown. We enjoyed riding the wooden roller coaster known then simply as the Coaster. It has since been renamed the Thunderhawk; built in 1924 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, the most predominant manufacturer of roller coasters in the United States.

One beautiful summer evening we boarded the ride as we had done many times. We sat in the first car. Prior to the ride leaving the station, the attendant checked that all the lap bars were locked into place. We snuck a quick kiss as the coaster began its chug up the first hill. Near the top we heard a click and suddenly our lap bar unlocked. We looked at one another with fear in our eyes as we anticipated being thrown from the car as it sped down the first hill. Needless to say, we survived, no worse for the wear, and it makes for a great story.

Once, some years later, when a gang of us were at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, for our annual camping trip, several of us dads decided to ride the Phoenix as many times as we could without getting off. I think we rode it six or seven consecutive times until the ride attendant made us exit the ride. Just let me say, I would not recommend riding a roller coaster that many times in a row. 
 
Life is like a roller coaster. One minute you are slowly chugging up the hill and then the next minute you are plummeting down the other side at breakneck speed with the g-forces pushing you into your seat. Then, all of a sudden you whip around a turn, being lifted out of your seat (that moment coaster enthusiasts call “air time”), feeling if you are about to be launched into the air. Soon thereafter, the ride comes to a screeching halt, you jerk forward before being snapped back into your seat. You get off dazed and dizzy only to get in line once again. Sound familiar?
 
While life constantly changes like the the movements of an amusement park ride, and we tend to be happy or sad, excited or discouraged, or energized or exhausted based upon whether the roller coaster of life is traveling up the hill, down the hill, or flying around a turn, one thing remains the same through it all, and that one thing this – God is forever loving, faithful and unchanging. The theological word is “immutable,” which simply means “not changing or unable to change.”
 
There are many references in Scripture to the immutability of God. One such reference is found in Hebrews 13:7 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” 

In Malachi 3:6, God affirms, “I the LORD do not change.” [The context of this verse is that while unfaithful Israel deserved annihilation (Numbers 18:32), survival is not due to their own merit. Quite the opposite; the only reason they have not been wiped out like Edom (Malachi 1:1-4) is because God is faithful, He does not change, His promises are eternal (Hebrews 6:13-20).]
 
So, whether you are slowly chugging up the incline or rapidly speeding down the hill, whipping around a turn, being pushed into your seat, or lifted out of your seat, you can be assured that while life’s lap bar does occasionally come unlocked, failing to keep you safe, in God, through Jesus, you always have a safe and steadfast anchor for your soul. (Re-read Hebrews 6:13-20.)