Thrills, Chills and Pain Pills

Thrills. We tend to get them in different places, according to our diverse personalities, varied likes and individual pain tolerances. Personally, I get a real charge from a lengthy trip to the mall (ooh, did I say “charge”?). My husband, however, would rather smash his thumb with a large hammer than to take a shopping trip to the mall.

On the other hand, he loves a long bike trip on a nature trail. Me? I think about the heat, bugs, poison ivy and the probability of straining muscles I’m sure to find out later I don’t even have. Just bring me the hammer. And a large dose of a strong pain reliever, thank you.

Thrills may vary from person to person and from hammer to hammer, but there is only One who should thrill us to the very soul. Only Jesus should be the absolute thrill of our lives. I love the hymn that includes the words: “All that thrills my soul is Jesus He is more than life to me.”

Several times a day I have to ask myself if He really is more than life to me. From the shoe sale at the mall to the scenic nature trail is there anything that threatens to take the attention that He deserves? He is the deserving Maker, the absolute reason for it all. He is all of life. No, He’s more than life.

How easily life can become more to me than my Savior. I wish I didn’t have to admit that. I wish I didn’t have to admit what a spiritual wimp I can become at even the slightest distraction. But Colossians 1:17 reminds me that, whether I recognize it or not, He truly is and has always been more than life. “And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” He is life. He is more than life. Not only is He more than life, He is the only one who can direct us to live our lives in the right way. “It is God who directs the lives of His creatures; everyone’s life is in His power” (Job 12:10, GNT).

Know what’s funny? Life in His power is the only place to find real thrills. Maybe someday I’ll even write my own hymn about it. It might go something like this:

“He is my trip to the mall for a giant shoe sale

He is my husband’s bike ride on a long nature trail

He is the most magnificent deep soul-thriller

And oh so much better than any goofy pain-killer.”

Don’t wait for my song (like you would really do that). Find your own thrill and your very life in the immense and eternal power of the Savior.

When He is all that thrills your soul, you truly have all you need. And when He is all that thrills your soul, I doubt you’ll ever need a hammer for anything body-related.

Rhonda Rhea is a radio personality and a conference speaker for events all over the country. She is the wife of First Baptist Church of Troy, Missouri’s pastor, Richie Rhea, and mother of five teenagers. She has authored several fun and fruitful books, including the new release I’m Dreaming of Some White Chocolate. Watch for High Heels in High Places coming in 2007. Find out more at www.RhondaRhea.net. For speaking information, try www.FindRhonda.com.