Why We Fear Roller Coasters

Joshua 1:7
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

There we were staring at a looping coaster that reached 430 ft into the skies. It zoomed past us going 120 mph. It was the Top Thrill Dragster. The 3rd ranked coaster in the world, not the US, the world.

Some of the teenagers boarded the speed trap with no second thought. Others, however, shivered as they sat down. Some made it to the front only to turn back. While many, knowing their fears, didn't even attempt to try.

Why do we fear roller coasters?

Is it because we know man is not supposed to fly 430 feet above the earth at 120 mph?

Is it because we don't want to get sick or throw up like the stories we have heard year after year?

Is it because we fear the coaster will malfunction and cause us harm or even death?

I believe the reason we fear roller coasters is because we do not control them nor their effects upon us, and we fear what we cannot control.

Christians, the reason we fear roller coasters is the same reason we fear the will of God. - we can't control the will of God.

It scares a young man to have to trust God with his life and future.

Young ladies are afraid to surrender their lives to Christ.

Why?

Because if I surrender my life, my will, and my future to God's will, I lose control of them. I am then forced to live by faith.

It amazes me how so many will eventually "get over" their fear of coasters. I remember being the scared to death shivering kid, who only rode because of my friends. Yet now, I love the highest, fastest and craziest thrills.

What happened?

Did they start guaranteeing that you won't get sick? NO

Did they start displaying inspection and service records indicating the coaster is safe and ok to ride? NO

I just decided to trust the maker of the coaster, the park, and the operator.. All of whom I do not know.

If we can live by faith at a theme park, if we can trust people we don't know with our lives....

Why can't we trust God enough to surrender to His will and live by faith in Him?

He's only saved us from Hell-
Given us the Holy Spirit-
Laid out a perfect plan for us in His will-

Don't fear- be strong and very courageous.
Trust God. Surrender to His will. Live by Faith.

God's will is a ride you don't want to miss.

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Expendable

I Sam 16:1
And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

Expendable-   Capable of being expended (used up), not essential, easily replaced.

This may be a sobering thought to you, but you are expendable. It matters not what your name is, what your title may be, where you live nor what you think...   You are Expendable. Capable of being used up, not essential to the plan, and easily replaced.

Divorces prove spouses are expendable.

Corporations prove employees are expendable.

Death proves life is expendable.

There is no one on the Earth whose absence or attitude would halt its rotation.

Truth is whether you live or die, do right or live in sin, work or sleep in, stay married or divorce...

Everyone is Expendable.

Don't believe me...

Try being late for a Doctor's appointment, or even skipping one. Does the Doctor's office close just because you are not there?  NO. They move on to the next patient and continue the day.

Watch the traffic around a funeral procession in your town. Police officers now have to even stop the oncoming traffic for a hurse! Why? Because whoever is in that box, is expendable.

Their family moves on, their job moves on, their ministry moves on, LIFE moves on.

I am not saying people are not sad, effected, sorrowful or hurt.

But eventually, "the time to weep" is over and LIFE goes on. Whoever quit, died, stopped serving God, left, changed, etc... is EXPENDABLE.

How about in the Bible...

Moses dies... Joshua jumps into leadership.

Elijah goes away... Elisha does double.

In our text verse, - Saul is rejected.. David is elected.
God tells Samuel to move on!

David cannot build the temple... Solomon steps up.

Jesus could not do miracles in some cities because of unbelief, so he moved on to the next one.

Everyone is Expendable.

If you are a husband... you are expendable.
If you are an employee... you are expendable.
If you are a parent / guardian... you are expendable.
If you are a preacher... you are expendable.
If you are the boss.. you are expendable.
If you play sports... you are expendable.
If you work on a bus route... you are expendable.
If you teach Sunday School... you are expendable.

Everyone is Expendable.  Easily replaceable.

What is the Point?

1. Humility-  

Knowing we are expendable, should keep us humble. God can use ANYONE to do ANYTHING we do! God doesn't "need" any of us. At more than one point, He was willing to kill to everyone and start over. Family, ministry, work, and even life would go on if we were out of the picture.

2. Honor-

Though, God can use anyone, He chooses to use us.
Dad- He chose to make you a dad.      Mom- He chose to make you a mother.
Employee- He chose to give you the job.  Employer- He chose to bless your business.
Preacher- He called us, equips us and directs us.    
Bus Worker-  He chose to use you on that bus.
Sunday School Teacher-  God chose to give you those students to love, teach and train.

God may not "need" us, but He wants us. He loves us. He receives pleasure from our surrender and service.

If God has blessed your life, be honored. HE CHOSE YOU.

3. Hastening-

• If you are reading this and do not know Christ as Saviour, just know that if you continue without Christ, Hell will be your home. And the world, the people, and circumstances surrounding you will move on as planned. You are Expendable.

"God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" II Pet 3:9

However, if you choose to reject God's loving plan of salvation, God doesn't stop offering it. God will continue to offer it and there will be others who will trust Him.

• If you are reading this and are a Christian, just not where you should be or used to be with God, know that God's will is still available for your life.

However, if you choose to reject truth, live in sin and serve self, God's plan marches on. God wants you involved, He wants you as a witness, He wants you surrendered, serving and soul winning, but if you are not, He CAN and WILL find someone else.

• If you are a mother, father, employee, employer, Pastor, Youth Pastor, Teacher, athlete, bus worker, Sunday School teacher, husband or wife, know that there are people who need you and count on you everyday.

However, if you choose to neglect your role, life goes on. Someone will fill the place you leave in the hearts of your followers. Good or bad you cannot decide, but there will be someone, someday who takes that spot. Because you see...

Everyone is Expendable.

Let's live the life we have for the Lord and do His will.


#fuel