SPINNING
OUT OF CONTROL
Topics: Addiction; Control; Deliverance; Dependence; Despair; Emptiness; Helplessness; Limitations; Longing; Powerlessness; Salvation; Self-reliance; Sin; Waiting on God
References: John 14:6; Romans 3:23–24; 6:17–18; 7:14–25; 8:1–2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:22; 5:1; 2 Peter 2:19
While vacationing in northern Minnesota, I took my kids to a small county fair near Babbitt. We were about the only ones visiting the carnival rides that morning. So when we climbed into the Tilt-O-Whirl, we hoped the operator would give us a decent ride, even though we were the only ones on it.
Little did we know. The first few minutes were rather fun. We laughed and enjoyed the funny feeling inside our stomachs. But after a while, the ride was not so much fun. And after more time—way past the length of an ordinary ride—I began to feel queasy.
I wanted to get out, but I couldn’t. First, we were going too fast to escape. Second, the centrifugal force had me immobilized against the back of the car. Every time we spun past the operator, I looked pleadingly at him, trying to communicate “Please! I need to get off!” But the operator kept the ride going. I guess he thought he’d let it run until more customers showed up.
After another few minutes, the ride became miserable. The funny feeling inside my stomach turned into a churning concoction that included my morning breakfast. I had lost control. I was caught, going around in circles, held down by a merciless carnival ride operator.
After what seemed like three or four hours, the carnie finally stopped the ride. I’m sure I was green by that time. I staggered off the platform and lost my breakfast. Of course, my kids gathered around, cheering me on. They thought Dad’s discomfort was the best part of the ride.
If you’re caught spinning in a diabolical ride that started out fun but has turned into an addiction—if you’re going around in circles, powerless to get off—you know the helpless feeling of losing control of your life. You know what it means to need God’s supernatural help to stop the ride so you can escape.
—Rich Doebler, Cloquet, Minnesota