The Roller Coaster Effect

If you have ever been to a theme park, carnival, or anywhere with roller coasters, you have probably experienced this feeling before.  You get in line super excited to ride one of the biggest rides in the park and anxiously (and perhaps a little impatiently...) wait in line.  And then you finally get on the ride and strapped into your seat.  And as the floor of the station lowers and you start inching forward on the track you have that moment of panic.  The "holy crap can I change my mind and get off this thing?!" moment.  As the coaster slowly inches up the hill to the big drop, your stomach jumps up into your throat and you can do nothing but sit back and enjoy the ride.

I've decided that this is also the feeling of major life transitions.  When graduation from college was approaching I was SO excited and more than ready (or at least I thought so) but as my days left in Boone dwindled down and I celebrated all my "lasts" I started to get the nervous anticipation that comes with big changes.  Graduating from Appalachian was the culmination of four years full of huge growth, a lot of learning, and unforgettable memories.  It was the end to a wonderful chapter of life, and the start of a completely new one.  This summer has been all I could have hoped for and simply full of fun, love, and fellowship.  And, as much as I have loved spending this summer living at home, it is about time for this chapter to close and a new one to begin.

On Friday I will head off to start Seminary at Emory's Candler School of Theology.  I will move out of NC for the first time in my life; a huge change considering I have never spent more than 2.5 consecutive weeks outside of the state before.  I will move into my very first apartment and enjoy all the adult responsibilities of paying rent, the power bill, buying groceries, etc.  This small-town mountain girl will head to the big city life of Hot-lanta.  It is going to be a huge adventure, but one that God is calling me to take.  I am sure it will be full of bumps in the road, but it is sure to be one heck of a grace-filled joyous adventure with Jesus.

The roller coaster feeling has set in in full force with the countdown to Atlanta drawing closer by the minute....literally.  I will be leaving a lot of things behind but I could not be more excited for all that lies ahead.  If you listen to pop-Christian music, you are likely familiar with the song "Oceans" by Hillsong.  In fall of 2013 I heard it for the first time and quickly fell in love with its lyrics.  The opening verse says:

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

Jesus has called me out upon the waters, and there are a lot of unknowns.  There is a sense of holy mystery, but I know that I am going to find the Lord and find my purpose in new ways.  Even when fear surrounds me, His sovereign hand will be my guide.  He has never failed, and He certainly won't start now.