Several years ago, my husband and I took a vacation to Disney World.  As part of the vacation, we visited several waterparks (Don’t judge me.  I can’t help that I love riding a raft down a slide into a pool of water).  Typically, you stand in a long line to reach the top of the slide.  As the line moves, you pass by the pool at the end.  Instead of looking up at the slide, I enjoy watching people splash at the end.  They’re happy and excited.  Children try to run through the pool to get back in line.  It’s fun.

Then, we found the water coaster.  Tucked into a forest of tropical vegetation, the particulars of the slide were hidden from view.  As we waited in the line, we speculated as to the definition of a water coaster.  We got to the pool at the end and noticed people getting out of the water.  No one tried to run through the pool.  No one rushed to get back in line.  In fact, no one smiled.  They looked shocked.

Undaunted, we continued to climb the stairs to the top.  We grabbed a two-person raft and made our way to the edge of the slide.  The guy at the top suggested I sit in the front.  Then, he said,

“Whatever happens, don’t let go!”

He said it a few times until we agreed to not let go. He gave us a shove and the coaster took off.  The slide propelled us forward.  The coaster launched us downward. I lifted into the air along with the raft.  Gravity grabbed us to connect to the next part of the slide.  We flew off the slide repeatedly. Gravity consistently brought us back onto the slide. This sequence continued until we reached the end of the slide.

Shock.  Relief.  I understood why I should not let go.

Life is this way, too.  When we walk by faith, we can’t see the road ahead.  We don’t know what terrors await us.  There are times we feel completely disconnected from everyone around us.  The advice rings true:

Whatever happens, don’t let go!

We know that the Lord doesn’t let go of us.  Gravity didn’t let go of me.  I was going to fall either way.  Holding on to the raft controlled my landing.  God doesn’t let go of us.  If we let go of His word and His promises, we can’t predict how we land.