How A Terror-Filled Ride Through 2020 Can Actually Be A Good Thing

Somewhere around ten years ago, while we were still living in New Jersey, my sweet bride and I decided to take our then four-year-old son Caden down to the sunshine state and visit a wonderfully magical place called Disney World. (Ever heard of it? I figured you might have….) My younger brother James and his family joined us, and we were set for 4 days of park-hopping, photo-snapping, and memory-making fun. 

Now, there’s something you should probably know about James: He’s a bit crazy. Actually, he’s a lot crazy. 

James, Caden, and I found ourselves separated from the rest of the family for a little bit and happened to pass by a particular attraction. My brother assured me this was quite the tame ride and TOTALLY age appropriate for my sweet, innocent offspring. I was a bit hesitant, but James continued to advocate for said attraction. We walked up and Caden managed to just make the minimum height requirement, (albeit with a little extra padding in his shoes).

I felt the lingering and judgmental glances of other Disney-goers as we slowly inched toward the front of the line. James, however, maintained that this was indeed child-friendly. 

This ride, by the way, is called the Tower of TERROR. Yes, I probably should have made the connection. And yes, you can feel free to judge me now. 

I held my four-year-old as we together experienced the pitch black, 130’ drop inside a haunted hotel designed purely for the purpose of scaring the boogers out of any normal human being . Through the screams, I tried asking if he was okay, and about that time I felt Caden’s teeth bite down on my hand and puncture my skin in…well, terror. 

This year may have felt like that for you: a ride you never asked to go on, tossed up and down in the dark with the floor dropping out from beneath you,  your stomach left in knots. 

A pandemic, political and racial tension, fights over masks, job losses…this year has been trying to say the least.  There’s a letter recorded in the Bible from another guy named James, who just so happened to be the half brother of Jesus. That James writes his letter to people that have been “scattered” and persecuted, with many of their leaders and friends killed for their beliefs. 

And right out the gate, he tells them to rejoice, to literally “choose joy” when they face “trials of many kinds.” Why? James says it’s because those hard times will actually make them stronger, more mature human beings, and ultimately “lacking nothing.” 

Good times are fun, sure. Everyone loves to walk through a magical, “Disney-like” world of laughs and selfies. But in nearly 20 years of serving as a pastor and walking through the ups and downs of life with people, I’ve learned it’s the hard times that actually help you grow. 

And maybe, just maybe, this year is an opportunity for you to grow, too. To “choose joy” while you’re going through tough times.

Maybe you’re tougher and more resilient than you ever dreamed. Maybe this season is a chance to see yourself and those around you differently and more compassionately. Maybe the dramatic ups and downs will help you see a new, fresh perspective. Maybe on the other side you will emerge a stronger and more complete person. 

And maybe, just maybe, you won’t be the only one.

Comment:  Have you grown through this pandemic?  Are you surprised that you’ve grown through it?  In which ways have you grown?