“Do you think we’re too old to do this?” Jim asked.

“Nah, we can do it.” I said confidently, then I backpedaled, “But I’ll do whatever you want to do.”

”Thanks a lot! You’re leaving it up to me!”

We were at Sea World. It was the end of the day. I was tired of walking in spite of the fun sites everywhere. I was amazed at the variety of sea animals in the aquarium and the power and size of the dolphins and killer whales. But it was a warm day and I was ready to be done. Here we were in a line snaking through many grids of ropes with signs promising us we’d soon be there. Of the 500 or so people in line, we were obviously the oldest.

We had at least 45 minutes to change our minds, as the line wove through the covered area. We got acquainted with a mom and her son, standing behind us. By the time we reached the queue, we were fast friends with Matteo and Aisha. We got to be in the same boat in the roller coaster-style-ride where you were guaranteed to get wet. They sat in the very front, we sat two rows behind them.

The ride? It was exhilarating! After splashing down the bottom of a steep hill, we heaved a sigh of relief. We were done. We slowly floated to what we thought was the end of the ride when we realized we had another segment of the ride to go. Another steep climb, we swooped downhill, splashing water on ourselves and anyone near the splash zone who was watching the riders. We screamed with terror and fun. Our clothes and hair were soaked.

Deciding to take the risk is something we do nearly every day. Headlines in the newspapers. Disasters everywhere. Unemployment up. Gas prices up. Food prices up. It is frightening. Alas, this is not something new. One of the minor prophets, Joel said this in the first chapter of the book of Joel. Joel was writing during a terrible plague of locusts in the land.

19 Lord, help us! (Joel 1:19a NLT).

Our situation seems very grave in so many areas of our world. Just as Jim and I were trapped in the long line, waiting for a scary, wet ride, there really was no way out. We just trudged ahead. Took a deep breath and enjoyed the ride.

Sometimes life throws lots of doubts and fears as we look around us, helpless and uttering a feeble cry, “Lord, help us!”

Later in Joel, there is a promise:

 … I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
    Your old men will dream dreams,
    and your young men will see visions.
 32 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
    will be saved,
for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape,
    just as the Lord has said.
These will be among the survivors
    whom the Lord has called (Joel 2:28,32 NLT).

That’s comforting to me that in the end those who “call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

As for our wet and wild ride? We felt refreshed and invigorated! Before the ride, I was tired and a little grumpy. After the ride? I was ready for more. Those endorphins and shock of splashing water took away any tiredness I felt.

Get ready for the ride!