I recently had the opportunity to go on a police ride along. I was amazed to find that the time in the squad car was a series of highs and lows. One minute we were like people passing time on a road trip, counting cars with heavy eyelids. Then in the blink of an eye, the lights were flashing and we were racing down a highway at 90-plus miles per hour with hearts pumping. The ride along was a mix of chasing shoplifters up a snowy hill to knocking on the doors of a senior living facility to assure all were safe. Once our hearts and blood pressure came back to a reasonable level, we were back to the quieter activity of sitting in a day care parking lot as a symbol of peace and assurance to those parents picking up their precious cargo.
What a picture of life—the constant highs and lows! One minute we’re in moments of life that are quiet, trying to stay awake. Boom! Then there’s a death, a family crisis, an argument at work that causes our hearts to pump wildly. During these highs and lows of life, Paul encourages us, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). We can stand on more than our cell phones, our reputations, or our wealth; all that is temporary and shifting. Instead, we stand on Jesus. We focus on his protection and service, and we enjoy the ride!
