The Merry-Go-Round

The merry-go-round, also known as the carousel, is a classic staple of carnivals and amusement parks all around the world. With its cheerful music and brightly painted horses, it may not attract all of the hardcore adrenaline junkies out there, but it is one of the rides that people of all ages can ride. So where did it originate from?

It can actually be traced back to the medieval times as it was a training game for knights. In the game, knights would gallop in a circle while tossing balls back and forth to each other which required great skill and horsemanship. It wasn’t until the 1700’s that it was used for entertainment and it didn’t become the modern day ride as we know it until the invention of steam power in the late 1800’s.

Not only does a merry-go-round symbolize the joyful childhood imagination, but it also symbolizes the cycles of life and the divine patterns of our human existence.

In Ecclesiastes chapter 3, King Solomon, wrote one the most famous passages in the Bible. He writes…

“There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

This passage is a great reminder of how everything that happens in our lives, whether mundane or exciting, is all part of God’s divine design. Each season and time serves a unique and meaningful purpose in the grand scheme of life. Therefore, instead of constantly trying to escape the mundane and repetitive tasks, embrace the process. Everything we do is an opportunity for spiritual growth and gaining a deeper understanding of ourselves and God.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul encourages believers to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Just like how a merry-go-round continuously returns to the same point, our mundane daily routines bring us back to constant gratitude, prayer, and reflection.

I sometimes tend to buy into the lie of culture that says I have to have all of these crazy moments and things to be happy and live life to its fullest. Yet in reality, the best life I can possibly live is in quiet service to Jesus. He provides a constant inner peace and joy that will always be there no matter what life throws my way.

So the next time you see people on a merry-go-round, be reminded of how the joy of the Lord is our constant strength (Nehemiah 8:10) in the most repetitive and the mundane moments of life.

The Bigger Picture: Find joy in the mundane moments of life because they are all a part of God’s divine plan.