We live in a society that hungers adrenaline highs. Real adrenaline, however, does not come from the pleasures of this world. In the end, they leave us empty, and usually depressed and guilt-ridden as well, with no hope in sight. No wonder the suicide rate is so high!

Real adrenaline never leaves us empty. Instead of tearing us down, it builds us up. Instead of leaving in utter defeat, it makes us victorious, filling us with true, fulfilling love and purpose. That kind of adrenaline cannot be found in the shady corners of our planet. It comes straight from God!

“A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 10:10 The Message)

The first day we were in New Zealand we met some really nice people — a retired couple traveling with their son and daughter-in-law. We were staying at the same bed-and-breakfast in Dunedin, and that first breakfast we had together was far from ordinary. Although they were from Singapore and we, from Canada, and although they were Muslims and we, Christians, we hit it off right away. It was if we had been friends for years.

I still remember the daughter-in-law leaving her fresh mushroom omelet to get us a map of the Caitlins, our next destination in our trek through this gorgeous country. We were sad to leave, but we prayed that somehow we would meet again.

Our one week trek through the Southern island went by in a flash, and when we registered at our last bed-and-breakfast on the island, in Christchurch, we were told that we would be sharing the house with a traditional Muslim family from Singapore. Thinking nothing more of it, we then left the bed-and-breakfast to visit the city. Upon our return, we noticed a familiar looking car in the driveway. Could it be the same car we shared the driveway with in Dunedin? After all, our housemates there had been a Muslim family from Singapore …

But no. That wouldn’t be possible.

We had just entered and were saying good-night to our hosts when we heard footsteps in the hallway. Imagine our surprise when we turned to meet our Singapore friends from Dunedin! God had made it possible for us to meet again. Once more we enjoyed our time together, and we exchanged email addresses before leaving.

What are the chances that without any former planning, people who have just met in a bed-and-breakfast in a foreign country will meet up again in another bed-and-breakfast, a week later, in a distant city? After all, we could have booked any of the hundreds of accommodations in Christchurch! In fact, our hosts emailed me later to tell us we were the talk of town. Such things just didn’t happen in Christchurch! But there are no coincidences with God. Besides, I’m used to this. Ever since the day I decided to follow in Jesus’ steps, my life has NEVER been dull.

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Heb 12:2-3 The Message)

He gives us victory my friends! He gives us a life worth living. Never can any of these fading attractions of the world match the love, the forgiveness, the victory and the adrenaline that God provides us with on a daily basis. It’s time that we let our dusty toys rest and enjoy the One who guarantees us a ” better life than [we] ever dreamed of.”

The email exchange with our friends from Singapore has gotten off to a slow start, however I believe we will meet again. When God opens wide doors, we can expect the impossible! He always has a purpose!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Fearless Victory!” devotional series, please click here.)