God's Coaching #218

God's Coaching #218

Richard Rodriguez was scared of roller coasters when he was a kid. He got over his fear. In August 2007, Richard rode a roller coaster for 401 hours straight to set a new world record for the longest roller-coaster marathon! Richard set the mark riding the Pepsi Max Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in England. He rode the Big One almost 8,000 times and covered a distance equal to 6,300 miles! At 235 feet, the Big One is one of Europe’s tallest roller coasters, and it reaches speeds of 75 miles per hour. It plunges 205 feet down its first drop, and riders experience a g-force 3½ times stronger than normal gravity.

Richard’s mark of almost 17 days blew away the old record of nine and a half days. The new king of coasters could only get off the Big One for five minutes every hour. That meant he had to sleep, eat, and drink on the coaster. As far as it’s known, he never threw up. That’s a bonus accomplishment!

What’s the Score?

Roller coasters are a blast. But it’s also a good feeling to step off a roller coaster onto solid ground. Sometimes in life things can get so crazy and turbulent that we might say it feels like we’re on “a roller-coaster ride” or “an emotional roller coaster.” Most of us try to avoid those situations. But you may experience times when life jerks you around or throws you for an unexpected loop. One minute you’re zooming along just fine. The next minute you’re slammed into a free-falling corkscrew.

Those are the times we need to remember that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). No matter what surprises or changes come our way, God stays the same. He is faithful and solid. We can hold on to him when our world feels like it’s spinning. He will always hold us tightly and straighten out our track.

On the Ball

On a separate piece of paper, draw a picture of a time your life felt like an out-of-control roller coaster. Then change the picture to show God keeping you safe and protected.

Coach’s Comment

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8