Sunday, February 6 - Facing the Giant

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure." 2 Timothy 4:6

     The scariest part of riding Goliath, Six Flags over Georgia's newest roller coaster boasting an initial 200 foot drop, was the waiting. I know how Marie Antoinette felt as she waited to hear the guillotine sliding down the track. Before heading to the "big one" we rode a few other rides with Goliath laughing at us in the distance as if to say "You call that a ride?" Finally, we'd had enough of his mocking and like a small army of determined Davids we turned to face the giant. The line was long, allowing for plenty of opportunities to develop a headache or to slip out until the line was shorter, but we wanted this notch in our belts, this victory on our shields, so we waited. To pass the time we talked about other things, sometimes even forgetting what would come within the hour, but then someone would look up and say, "I can't believe we're doing this," or "Man, that's a steep drop." Still, we waited. Finally, when the time came to get into the less-than-safe-looking cars, we jumped in quickly and pulled the bars down over our laps (no shoulder harnesses??). There was no going back. (Well, I'm sure an ear-piercing scream and a death threat would have stopped the process, but a girl has her pride!) And off we glided up that long, long first hill where the last few seconds stretched into slow motion just before we glimpsed the horizon head on and plunged straight down into the most fun we had all day.  Tell me victors don't walk a little straighter (after about 30 seconds of wobbling) and smile a little bigger than those still waiting to discover whether they live or die!  
     Oswald Chambers suggests we offer ourselves to God as sacrifices the same way we looked at riding Goliath: with the will rather than with our emotions. He instructs us to "just do it" and think about the consequences later, but not us. We only think about the consequences later when sin's calling, but God gets the third degree and a run around when He calls. When He asks us to bind ourselves to His altar and entrust ourselves into His gentle hands we circle the altar, kick the stones, think about it before committing, ask for the least costly option, hope we don't meet the height requirement, include some loopholes in the contract, and keep our options open to slip off the altar and out of sight.
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29
      The altar experience purifies us as God burns out the selfish fibers in our souls. As a result, the altar experience brings rest since so much of our anxiety is woven into those selfish fibers. When we're strapped safely to His altar, there's nothing left to be angry about or to dispute. "After this way of fire, there is nothing that oppresses or depresses. When the crisis arises, you realize that things cannot touch you as they used to do." (My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers) 
     But we'll never climb on board if we wait until we're not afraid or until we know all the details. He asks us to lift our open, "empty hands of faith" (Jesus Calling, Sarah Young) to Him, ready to receive every upward climb and plunging drop designed to mold our character into His likeness, bring Him glory, and give us the victory. And because our gentle God fills our emptied wills with Joy as well as Peace, we may find ourselves riding with our hands up in the air.
"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing." 1 Timothy 2:8


Father, You're not a God who rubs His hands together waiting to slice and dice us. You're the Good Shepherd, gentle yet strong. You're Abba, holding our hands through surgery. Your desires for our lives may seem difficult but they're always best and most rewarding. Show us how un-boring You are Lord! Burn up every ungodly desire in Your people. Begin with me. Take me, quick, and don't let me slip off the altar. Help me maintain eye contact with You and see all the Love, Joy and Peace You promise. I'm ready to pour myself out for You in whatever way You lead. Let today's worship be pure and unhindered by traces of selfish fibers still unburned. May we keep our hands open to You and our hearts prayerful for all Your heart craves. 
In the Name of Jesus, the Sweetest, most Thrilling Door we could ever walk through! 


Inspired by My Utmost for His Highest and Jesus Calling
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