Amusement Park: Water Ride

It felt good to be back in the sunshine. Real sunshine, not the harsh artificial lights of the game booths. The air was clean and warm and full of life. Amalia and Jesus walked down the dirt path looking at the various rides she hadn’t been on yet. Suddenly, Jesus pointed.

“That one! It’s what you need right now.”

Amalia looked at the high ride. Another roller coaster?

“Um… I don’t think I’m ready for this one.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not near as high as the roller coaster we went on, nor is it the same. This one has a different focus.”

Letting Jesus lead her, they climbed up the stairs leading to the train cars. Only there weren’t any trains. There were just individual cars, each a different color, lined up waiting for their turns to carry passengers.

Jesus helped Amalia into the first car. “You’re going to love this!”

“If You say so,” Amalia said, eyebrows raised. “I’ll let you know when we get to the end.”

As the car started moving, Amalia checked her seat belt to make sure it was securely buckled, ignoring the humorous look Jesus gave her. Better to be safe than sorry.

The climb up was steep, but not nearly at high. When they got to the top, she sat back, relieved at the gentle downward slope on the other side. Jesus was right. This was not like that horrifying roller coaster. It was much more like a kiddie roller coaster. No death drops here.

She was enjoying the view as they moved steadily along the track, when she felt something wet on her face. Rain? No, not possible. Not on a day this sunny. Looking around, she noticed everything was wet and shiny from the mist in the air. Where was that mist coming from? Within minutes she found out.  A large waterfall rose up directly in front of them, and there was no way around it. They were going to get wet!

“Don’t worry so much, Amalia. This is just a thin waterfall. You’re just going to get sprinkled.”

He was right, as usual. The car moved too quickly through that falling water to drench them. The cool water droplets that fell on her head refreshed her mind seeping all the way down into her heart, and she felt more free than she had since coming out of that game booth area. She hadn’t realized how much hold those games, especially those stars, had had on her mind. Now all desire for them was gone.

“Will there be another waterfall? That one was awesome!”

“No, this one is enough. For now.”

Now fully relaxed, Amalia settled back in her seat. The car continued to follow the track as it went up and down gentle inclines, and around several curves.

“I love this ride,” she told Jesus. “You always know just what I need.”

“I hope you feel the same way when we…”

“Jesus! Where’s the track?” Amalia interrupted, leaning forward. “The track… it’s gone!” She stared at the spot where the track disappeared right into the sky.

“It’s still there. Once we get to the top, you’ll see it.”

Now Amalia noticed the steady rise they had been making. “You mean there is a drop?” She gripped the handlebar tighter. At least this time she was getting a warning.

Then they were over the top and flying almost straight down. Only this time, not only was the drop was much shorter, it ended in a pool of beautiful blue water. Almost before she had time to think about it, the car hit the pool, and water drenched her. Amalia laughed as the car slowed down and floated through the pool. If the sprinkling she had gotten earlier was refreshing, this was absolutely exuberating. She felt so alive, so energized, so… clean!

“Wow, Jesus! This is amazing! Thank You for bringing on this ride!”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” He winked at her. “And I’m glad you don’t smell like the game booths anymore.”

When was the last time you had a spiritual bath?

Scripture:

Hebrews 10:21-22  and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.