The Alaska Principle

My life with Jesus has been like a rollercoaster.

When my husband and I look back on the last (almost) 18 years of our marriage, nearly every year has been drastically different from the one before. It is like God grabbed our hands from day one and took off running, and we have done our best just to hold on and keep up with what he is doing.

Somewhere in the neighborhood of maybe a decade ago, a new saying developed in our conversations that has stuck.

"Of course, we could be living in Alaska next year."

This is now our required disclaimer that is placed at the end of any plans that we make, especially long term plans. Of course we dream and discuss our future, our children's future, our jobs, and anything else we would like to happen in our lives. But we do it with a little tag on the end that reminds us that God is in control, He is going to do what he wants to do, and we are going to yield.

"We could be living in Alaska next year."

Now, as I write this, that sounds so simple. It sounds like we flow with the changes without a blink or emotion. That is simply not true.

In fact, I have a tendency to plunge my roots deep into the ground every time I am planted, as if I am going to stay in that place forever. The result? When it's time for change, God has to pull hard to get me out of my comfy spot. It is usually painful. It helps to have a familiar reminder.

"We could be living in Alaska next year."

If I don't like the changing circumstances, I am reminded that it is probably not a "forever" thing. God has something he needs me to learn or someone he wants me to meet, and then we will be on to the next endeavor.

If I love the new circumstances, it keeps me grounded. It reminds me that God gives and God takes away, and my current situation is a blessing that I don't deserve.

Oh, I still put down those roots; but each time I cling a little less tightly. I never think that I am being blessed because I earned it. I know that I am not holding on to God to be comfortable; I'm holding on to God because he is God. And boring, smooth-sailing is not his style. He might just be resting me up for the next wild loop on the rollercoaster.

Do they have rollercoasters in Alaska?

You know, we could be living in Alaska next year.