I remember the first time I went on the roller coaster called the "Scream Machine" at Six Flags in Atlanta, Georgia. I remember going up that first steep incline. The chain pulling us made a "clickity clickity click" noise as we climbed higher and higher. I was nervous and talking a lot and loudly. I looked at my friend next to me and his eyes were closed. Just then he said, "Would you be quiet? I'm trying to pray."

Many people love roller coasters because they are so thrilling. The steep climbs up and the super fast plunges down are exhilarating. I have heard of some people who travel all over the country just to ride the newest, most thrilling roller coasters. Too often, that's the way we are with life. We are so "sense-sational" that we live for the thrills and excitement of life and are bored quickly. Many people get off the ride and immediately say, "Let's go again!" The thrill is over quickly and does not satisfy. Others say, "Been there and done that, where's the next great ride?"

Wouldn't it be better to do things that matter rather than just looking for more excitement? Isn't thrill seeking selfish after all? And if we are honest, when we invest ourselves in things that are lasting, don't we find lasting meaning and even a thrill or two?

Jesus said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) The apostle Paul reminded us "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting." (Ephesians 4:14)

Let's go again.
Do we need recreation? Yes. We need to have some fun. The Bible says, "A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones." (Proverbs 17:22) Fun and laughter are great and recreation can recharge our batteries, but shouldn't we be living for Jesus, seeking His Kingdom, and doing things that matter? If you don't believe that's exciting, just take a peak at the book of Acts and see all the thrills those who lived for Jesus and the Kingdom had in their day.

Let's not just look for more excitement and thrills. Let's not be "saved, but selfish." Instead, let's reach out, care, pray, serve, sacrifice, share, go, forgive, bless, and do things that matter for the Kingdom of God. We'll be glad we did. Fulfilling our purposes in God are much more satisfying than the cheap passing thrills most experience. If we live for the Kingdom, we spend our time on what matters and end up finding some real — and lasting — excitement along the way. If we're Kingdom-seekers, God will make sure we have our thrills!