When I was in high school, my youth group had a tradition of going to Six Flags Great Adventure in the summer. My favorite thing to do was play games and go home with five new stuffed animals. I enjoyed some of the rides, but I always avoided the tall roller-coasters. Rather, I was always willing to volunteer as bag-watcher when my friends wanted to go on the tall roller-coasters.

One year, there was a friend who somehow convinced me to go on the Nitro. It was the tallest roller coaster at the time. The train dropped 215 feet at speeds up to 80 mph. I remember sitting in the second row with her and refusing to open my eyes from the moment the train started to move. She had her eyes wide open from start to finish. She kept both hands in the air, and was entertained by my stubbornness. I kept my eyes closed. I screamed a lot. And, I could only lift my pinky as the train made its drops.

I will never conquer that fear again. Thankfully, I will never have to face that one again.

But, there are many fears in life that I must face daily. The fear of failing at my job, the fear of being forgotten, the fear of unintentionally hurting people, the fear of being embarrassed in front of teenagers I work with… like, tripping in the hallway or having a booger hang from my nose…

I can easily come to terms with conquering the fears that make for funny stories, but the ones that cut at my integrity and character are more challenging. Does the fear drive me to do better or does it paralyze me from even trying? That’s the challenge.

At times, facing my fears may result in going on the Nitro and lifting just a pinky. Other times, it means lifting both hands and keeping my eyes wide open. Either way, I must accept and let the ride take its course. I must trust that the Great Engineer has it figured out.

In reflection, I’m reminded of 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” God’s love is perfect and the Holy Spirit is alive working in and through us, driving out fear and buckling us into our seats on the Nitro.

In this Advent season, I imagine the immensity of God’s love as God entered the world in human form. We humans have many fears. Yet, Jesus walked on earth in the fullness of divinity and humanity. He embodied love and faced the cup He existed to embrace.

Emmanuel.

God with us as we ride the divine roller-coaster.

Liz Chang resides in Seattle, WA and works for Navos as a substance abuse prevention & intervention specialist at a local middle school, and as a child and family therapist. She graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a Masters of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is working towards certification as a Chemical Dependency Professional.