Joy Ride

     Are you on a joy ride? A joy ride has no particular destination and no goal except to have fun.

     Others go on thrill rides at county fairs and amusement parks.  The goal of a thrill ride is excitement – a sense of adventure.  It’s why people ride dirt bikes, bucking broncos and bulls.

     “Life is like a bull ride,” said a young cowboy with cancer. “It’s not how long you ride that counts but how well you ride.”

     Whatever kind of ride you’re on, one thing is sure:  it’s a short one.  Just like the popular rides at theme parks.  You wait in line for hours – and then it’s over in seconds.

     It seems like we spend our lives waiting for exciting events:  graduation, romance, marriage, a career and births. Then it’s over and we watch the cycle repeat in our children’s lives.

     Just when you think you’ve finally figured life out and the ride is going well – it’s time to get off.  “Watch your step and exit to the right.  Next, please.”

     As a pastor I have conducted funerals for children, the aged and many in between.  But there’s one thing they all had in common.  When God decided their ride was over, it ended. 

     Whether they rode well or not wasn’t for me to decide.  That’s God’s call.

     “Now hold on just a minute!” you may say.  “Who decides what a ‘good ride’ in life is?”

     The best time to find that out is before your ride is over.  While you can still change goals.

     One of my goals in life is to make an impact on this world with eternal results.  And that’s not easy.  You know why?  Because most things we do won’t last forever.

     Some people make an impact on this world but it’s only temporary. If you want eternal results you have to work with the two things on earth that are eternal:  People’s souls and God’s Word.  That’s why Jesus called his disciples to leave fishing and become “fishers of men.”

     If you do decide to follow Jesus, hang on – because you’re in for the ride of your life! In some places, following Jesus (or inviting others to follow him) will get you a free ride to prison.

      At the very least you may be misunderstood, ridiculed and harassed. But receiving eternal life, forgiveness, unconditional love, peace, and purpose from God makes it worth it all.  Plus, you can bring to Heaven everyone who follows you to Christ.

     Now that’s having an eternal impact – increasing Heaven’s population!

     What kind of ride are you on?  Is it all about the money, the pleasure or the power to control other’s lives?  If so, you’ll end up where you started.  With nothing that lasts or satisfies.

     Jesus calls us to a different kind of ride.  One that is not so much about self or controlling others as it is about serving others.  He invites us to follow him.  To love God with all our hearts and to love others as we love ourselves.

     Do a reality check.  What kind of ride has your life been until now? Is your life making an eternal difference?  If not, now is a good time to switch rides!

     The Bible tells us to make good use of the time we have left.  To exchange our lives for something that will last forever.  To put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins.  To make him our Lord and our God.  And then to bring others to Christ.

     To find out more, don’t just take my word for it.  Pick up a Bible and read the gospel of John in the New Testament and then keep reading.  It will help you choose a better ride in life.

     Following Jesus is more exciting than any joy ride.  It’s the ride of your life.

     Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!