Merry-go-rounds have a lot of movement and a measure of fun. They also have an appearance
of progress, but they never really go anywhere. The highs and lows are enjoyable, but many times the ups-and-downs are like lives entangled in sin or
addiction.
When riding the carousel of compulsion, the good times are great and we don’t want to lose them,
but the bad aftermaths bring remorse and we don’t want to repeat them. But we
do. And the vicious cycle continues because we both love and hate what we eat
or drink or do in excess even when the substance or behavior is killing us.
I know how it feels. I’ve been there before. Loving the party,
but hating the clean-up that followed. My carousel life spun in the same
circles year after year, after year, appearing to progress with its highs and lows,
but really going nowhere at all, until I finally learned how to step out of the
crazy cycle.
It was when the horses were down (when my life was at a very low-point) that I began to seek and
speak to God, asking Him to help me step off the merry-go-round. I begin
listening to His Still Small Voice (1 Kings 19:12) and obeying what I
heard and read in his Word.
There’s always a pause when the horses are down and
that’s the time to quiet your mind and listen to His gentle voice beckoning
you to Him (Isaiah 30:21). Carousel living provides no lasting satisfaction. On the contrary, Jesus promises freedom (John 8:31-32) and abundant life to those who follow him (John 10:10).
