SPIRITUAL ROLLER COASTER

 

It was the perfect day to go to Kings Island, despite the fact that I’ve always been terrified of roller coasters.  My partner in crime, Mary Bettenhausen, my best friend’s 11-year-old daughter stood beside me in line to ride the Banshee. 

We were determined to have fun; we were determined to fall in love with the rush of the wind; and we were determined to enjoy the turbulence of the ride. 

Screams echoed around the rides’ sharp turns; the loops, spirals, and zero-gravity rolls at speeds of up to 68 mph made our stomachs turn.  As the teenage ride operator locked us in, Mary and I grabbed each other’s hands. and held on, scared to death.   

Two minutes later, exhilarated and happy, our feet touched the ground.  Mary and I had done something terrifying and somehow lived to tell the tale.  We also decided that we really enjoyed the experience.

I’ve heard the metaphor that life is like a roller coaster MANY times throughout my life.  But I didn’t really understand the analogy until that day, 5 years ago, when we faced our fear of the unknown and rode the Banshee. 

Although I haven’t been on a roller coaster since that day, the memories of riding the roller coaster, at times, seem pretty similar to my Spiritual walk with Heavenly Father. 

Let’s be honest, there are many ups and downs.  There are many twists and turns on the road of faith.  There are days when I’m on fire.  And there are days when I’m a down in the dumps.  Despite my feelings, the roller coaster keeps moving forward.  President Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,  calls this spiritual momentum.

President Nelson explains that there are things we can do to keep our momentum, even when our roller coasters seem broken.

First, we can stay on the covenant path.  We can stand in line to get on the roller coaster – despite the heat or frustrating wait.  The covenant path is worth it. 

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles asked all to consider what their next essential ordinance is.

He received a couple answers to his question: His 7-year-old grandson said baptism.  Another child announced that sealing is an essential ordinance in the future.

Elder Bednar reminded them (and us) that the next essential ordinance for us as we stay on the covenant path is the sacrament – a weekly tradition of bread and water instituted by the Saior when He was on the earth.

Do we truly worship during this sacred opportunity every Sunday?  Do we focus on the Savior as we partake of the symbolic bread and water?

Another way to keep moving forward on our journey is to joyfully repent.  Scott and I recently read the book “Falling to Heaven” on a long drive to Idaho.  One truth seemed to jump off the page; I have been pondering it a lot the past month:  Repentance is an even greater gift than forgiveness. 

A Book of Mormon prophet, Alma, makes this point when he said, “May the Lord grant unto you repentance.”  Notice he does not say, “May the Lord grant unto you forgiveness.”  Repentance allows us to be supported by our Heavenly Father.

Learning about God and our Savior is one of my favorite parts of spiritual momentum.  The Savior is the motivating power behind all that we do.  He is not a dip in the roller coaster – he  is the strength that propels us upward.  He is not a scenic byway or even a major landmark on the ride.  He is “the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Him.”

When Mary and I took the trip to Kings Island, we were both frightened, but we decided that together we could do hard things.  We aren’t alone.  Heavenly Father is always with us, even when we’re riding a rollercoaster. 

At one point, during our Kings Island excursion, Mary’s glasses flew off during a ride.  We prayed, and Heavenly Father provided a miracle.  Her glasses were found. 

During that same trip, Jacob Bettenhausen, who was also along for the adventure, became sick.  We didn’t know what to do.  The group decided to say a prayer and another miracle occurred.  My best friend, Amy, saw a man who “looked” like a member of the Church.  He was.  He gave Jacob a blessing and Jacob was able to continue enjoying the day.  We can expect miracles when we are on the covenant path and living with spiritual momentum.

Yes, roller coasters can be fun.  And sometimes they can be scary.  But it’s our choice whether or not to enjoy the ride.  It’s our choice to stay on the covenant path, even when it’s hard.  We have the opportunity to repent and continue on learning of Heavenly Father and His Son.  We aren’t alone.  We can expect miracles. 

At least that’s the way I remember it.