Monday, October 31, 2011

STOP THE WORLD…

…I wanna get off.

Ever get that dizzy, off-kilter, queasy kind of feeling about life?

I do.

Actually, I get it literally. I have a tendency toward getting motion sickness. I can't read in the car (look out, always look out), I don't do twisty mountain roads very well, I get rather green at the gills on boats, I can't do rides at amusement parks or carnivals that spin me in circles (the teacup ride at Disneyland?? Can't even look at that ride!), I've never slept on a waterbed, I can't even watch my sons do video games on their TV.

Seriously, I get a little nauseous on high heels.

So, I had a moment the other night.

Our church had a huge Harvest Festival on Friday night. It was packed!! Lots of rides and games and food. Kids in costumes. Pony rides. A petting zoo. A ferris wheel. And a few twisty rides.

But, the thing that got to me the most was the obstacle course. I would have avoided it completely, except…

Let me explain.

My oldest son had volunteered to work at the festival. He just didn't know what he'd be doing. About 5 minutes before his shift started, I got a text message from him – "I'll be at the obstacle course."

Well, "The Hub" and I had trouble locating the obstacle course. Why? Because this wasn't your average obstacle course on the ground. This was a huge blow-up obstacle course. You know those *Bounce House* things they have? Well, this was along the same lines.

By the time we figured it out, my son had already started his shift. There he was, in jeans and red shirt, with a bandanna around his neck, and a tiny "Howdy Doody" cowboy hat on his head (I tell you what – that boy is a good sport for the Lord!).

He was given charge of helping/lifting kids up and over the 7-foot tall climbing portion of the course…while standing on a constantly undulating base of air mattress madness.

I watched for about 15 minutes, and then I couldn't take it anymore. I was queasy. I told him we were going to leave. Shouted, "How are you doing?"
He motioned that he was dizzybut didn't have a chance to finish his thought because Cinderella fell at his feet about the same time that Batman body-checked him.

I motioned, "I love you!"

Dizzy, off-kilter, queasy.

That's how I felt. And I was reminded of this feeling in a spiritual way at church this morning.

Our guest pastor talked about Saul's encounter with the living, breathing Jesus. How it wasn't a calm and serene scene. It wasn't necessarily pleasant. It didn't play out like this:

"Psst."

"Oh hey, Jesus."

"Hey, Saul, how's it going?"

"Pretty good. Yourself?"

Nope.

This meeting was unmistakable, unsettling, disorienting.

"Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?"

And this encounter with the living, breathing Jesus left Saul blind, weak, and
re-named. Paul had to be led by the hand into Damascus. For three days he couldn't see, and he didn't eat or drink anything.

His world had definitely been stopped.

But, this is what REAL encounters with Jesus look like.

And when we meet, truly meet, the Risen Lord we are stopped in our tracks. The meeting is unmistakable, unsettling, disorienting.

Because Jesus isn't asking for a nice and quaint "Hey, how are you?" meeting. He's seeking to change your life. He's saying...

"I'm not here to make what's clear in your life better. I'm here to do something completely different and it's going to be troubling to you."

Because, after all, dying to self and losing your life for His sake involves some disorientation. When we are re-purposed for the Lord's purposes we can expect to be a little (or a lot!) dizzy, off-kilter, queasy.

But, is there really any other choice?

There is.

The safe path. The secure road. The selfish complacency. The "I'll serve You in the way I choose, Lord" kind of way. Convenient, easy, uncomplicated, comfortable, painless. A life that we can control.

But, I don't want that anymore.

I want Jesus.

And life with Him, no matter how disorienting, is a life correctly oriented.

Yeah, it might be a bumpy road, up and down, and I just might get a little "motion sick" from time to time. But, I'd rather follow Jesus on His grand adventure than stay safe in a puny small-faith life.

Jesus – stop my world – I want to get on Yours.


Do you want to meet the Risen Lord in a new and powerful way?


"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV)


Linked today with:



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"


15 comments:

  1. You are the best illustrator I know! You always give such punch to your points by the opening story or thought. This is excellent, and I am right on board with you this morning. That deeper walk we are called to is going to cost us. But anything less will never satisfy.

    xo

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  2. That does sound like a neat carnival, Sharon, and I know a lot of effort goes into planning them and putting them on! Good for son for helping out!

    I definitely want to be on Jesus' "ride" rather than my own. It might be bumpy, but I'll never be on it alone!!!

    hope you have a good day!!

    betty

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  3. Beautiful, Sharon!
    You described your malady of dizziness in such a delightful and humorous way. And then to tie it into allowing Christ to live His way through us and not our safe way was very challenging and convincing. I'm saying, yes, Lord! I want the bumpy ride with Him on the Grand Adventure.
    I enjoyed this post so much.
    Blessings,
    Ruth

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  4. Amen...I want that encounter also, the one that is unsettling, leaves you a little shaky...because He has meet you there.

    Thanks for always sharing your gift and leaving me uplifted and even nudged in the right direction.

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  5. You are so funny - I know what you mean though. I was never dizzy as a child but the older I get the dizzier I get - seriously! sandie

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  6. I was over two hours worth of curvy, rolling Pennsylvania roads today. Whew...I didn't know how straight Indiana roads are.

    I'm with you...I choose Jesus regardless of the curves! His will is BEST!

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  7. Blessings Sharon... Now I understand...we're both dizzy. And the older I get, the dizzier I get and avoid those places. I don't think I get motion sickness however...

    I agree with Sonja that you have the gift of illustrating with your words and unbelievably can make just vivid connections from our real life to our spiritual one... (I guess that they really should be one) except my real (I'm thinking natural/normal). I am also so delighted in how your son is willing to serve the Lord. Bravo!

    Once again, I am amazed at the connection with the Bible, Saul, in this case, and his encounter with Jesus! I never stopped and looked at it in this way "This meeting was unmistakable, unsettling, disorienting." but you're so right.
    It would have been truly like this. You explained this so well "Because, after all, dying to self and losing your life for His sake involves some disorientation. When we are re-purposed for the Lord's purposes we can expect to be a little (or a lot!) dizzy, off-kilter, queasy." But I'm with you... stop my world and
    give me JESUS' world. I'm so thankful He's such a part of mine.

    Look out world, I'm on Jesus Great Adventure and I'm leaning on Him! Waiting for my great transformation encounter... too many follow the safe, secure, self complacency, Convenient, easy (or made difficult), uncomplicated, comfortable, painless life that we can control our way. God forgive me for the many times, I've done that!
    But I'm encouraged and motivated now. Working on being well and staying well in Jesus' name so I can press on in this venture with Jesus. Thanks Sharon for another great message... your pastor sure inspires you (I hope he reads your blog)!

    Love,
    Peggy

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  8. Sharon, you do such a wonderful job with your use of analogies. Even with all the disorientation and unsettling times, I still choose to hang onto Jesus.

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  9. Honestly? My first thought...m..a..y..b..e..
    You see, it's not the nausea that gets me about those carnival rides ~ it's the fear. Most are scary. And sometimes life with Jesus is scary. He asks us to stretch outside our comfort zones, our safe Christian circle of friends, away from our nest eggs, and simple life. To risk embarrassment, loss, and for some, life, to follow Him. But as Peter said, Lord, where else would I go? You have the words of life, the living water, the keys to heaven. So, yes, give me the e-ticket, if I stretch really hard I think I might have just enough faith height to make it on the ride! Love you, friend!

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  10. I have a problem with motion sickness too. I never get on a plane without taking Dramamine. Throwing up once (over 30 years ago) was enough for me not to change it again. It's pretty embarrassing. As a child I always got car sick, even just going to town. I'm happy to share the fireplace on my sidebar with you. I found it on the internet by looking for animated pictures of fireplaces. I love the fireplace this time of year. Sometimes we're tempted to light it and turn on the air conditioner if it gets too hot. lol
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  11. Hi Sharon! I've been away for a couple of days (first in Yosemite, then to visit our kids) and while away, I was playing "Mario Cart" with our 5 year old granddaughter. Wow! Did that game make me dizzy! I couldn't even keep the cart on the digital road! lol So, I can relate with being disoriented with things in this life! lol But, I agree with you -- I am so glad to be on this grand adventure with the Lord! Thanks for linking up with Sharing His Beauty this week!

    Blessings, Joan

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  12. Oh yes yes yes!
    When we stand face to face with Jesus it's NEVER a pretty scene (after all, let's face it ... WE aren't exactly pretty people, especially in comparison to HIS majesty!) We (or at least I) tend to walk away with giant chunks of flesh torn off in unexpected places! It's an incredible thing, and so wonderful in so many ways ... but it's far from pretty.

    I wouldn't have it any other way =)

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  13. "I'd rather follow Jesus on His grand adventure than stay safe in a puny small-faith life."...amen...following HARD....

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  14. Hi Sharon -

    I love that "correctly oriented."

    It's great to be on board with LIGHT walker, you.

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  15. Hi Sharon,

    I have a lot to catch up on over here, life has been a bit hectic and my concentration is a bit below par. Hope you have a blessed Sunday and wonderful week to follow. Hope your dad will be okay and I know the Lord will continue to strengthen and guide you - God Bless - Nita

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

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