When I drive into a traffic circle, commonly referred to as a roundabout, I am entering at my own risk, because of all the close calls of accidents and impatient drivers I’ve witnessed. When I am in the circle, oncoming traffic tries to break in ahead of my Honda, without waiting their turn. Driving on a roundabout is a scary experience, that requires quick defensive driving.
The first time I heard the phrase “Enter At Your Own Risk” occurred when I was a boy. I went with a family member to visit one of their friends. And the lady of the house made a point of pointing out the bedroom door of her teenage daughter. A small poster with the words “Enter At Your Own Risk” was taped at the top above multi-colored hanging beads that you had to walk through to enter the bedroom. The mother thought it was cute.
Well what does Enter at Your Own Risk really mean? Simply put, you agree to do something, whatever it is, even though you have been warned about the possible dangers and will have to take responsibility for anything bad that happens.
Consider the 14 people who were partying, celebrating New Year’s Day 2025 in New Orleans on Bourbon street around 3 in the a.m. No one warned those young people what they were walking into.
Emotional and physical pain we receive from innocently participating in a normal activity while enjoying life is the worst. We suffer. We cry. We question. We doubt, and some of us die or–stop believing and withdraw from society, from life, from church, from friends, and any activity that may boost our spirits because we are scared of trying again. And as a result, we are stuck in the reoccurring nightmare of an emotional roundabout.
So is there any activity, any discipline, any practice that will help with the dilemma of life and all its shocks, surprises and sufferings? I know one. I’ve experienced the benefits of it for close to 35 years. And I haven’t kept those benefits to myself.
My boss at New York Life told me after everyone returned to work from the holidays, that she had begun this activity after hearing me express how it changed my life and added richness to it.
My favorite female author digs deep in examining and explaining the psychological, scientific and health benefits of this activity.
From Sacred Prayer Ann Voskamp writes:
“As research indicates: Accept and process what’s in your mind, and you literally improve the health of your mind. Journaling, organizing words on a page, is a way of actually organizing thoughts and feelings in your life. Getting thoughts and feelings down on paper gets them out of your head and frees up more space in your life.” (page V, VI from the Introduction)
Voskamp continues, “And studies further prove: Put words to rest on paper, and you physically rest better. Commune with God on the page, and you have a stronger immune system. Ultimately: Disclosing your thoughts and feelings on a page can bring closure to painful experiences in your life. Literally: Words heal wounds.” (page VI)
Honestly, if our house was on fire I’d first make sure my loved ones were safe and secondly, I’d try as best I could to salvage all 72 (so far) of my journals. We forget so much that happens to us. My journals reflect polaroid shots of life, ones I dropped at the Cross and gave to God however painful and unresolved. To read those old writings is to be refreshed with the reality of the faithfulness of God.
No, we are not given any guarantees that 2025 is going to be a smooth-running machine. But we are given the freedom to choose how to respond to what God allows in our lives. Journaling is an activity that allows me to empty myself on paper before I face another day of life. God wants us to come to Him, to give to Him what we were never meant to hold, or stay depressed over. And besides prayer, another way to express our souls to Him is our very words put down on the page.
As 2025 is still young and new, why not “enter” into the adventure God offers. Yeah, there are risks, but you are not entering that risk on your own. He is the constant Companion.
John 14:27 reads, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (NLT)
Pictures courtesy of pexels.com except book and journal, courtesy of “Nelson & his Nikon”.
