A Tandem Bike Ride With God

A Tandem Bike Ride With God

I used to think of God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn’t really know Him.

But later on, when I met Jesus, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Jesus was in the back helping me pedal. I didn’t know just when it was He suggested we change, but life has not been the same since I took the back-seat to Jesus, my Lord. He makes life exciting. When I had control, I thought I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places and at break-through speeds; it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it often looked like madness, He said, “Pedal!” I was worried and anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. And when I’d say, “I’m scared”, He’d lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, my Lord’s and mine. And we were off again. He said, “Give the gifts away; they’re extra baggage, too much weight.” So I did, to the people we met, and I found in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it, but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do any more, He just smiles and says… “Pedal.”

(Author unknown)

I’m learning how to trust God more deeply.  To accept that the perfect solution to any problem or opportunity I face is already selected and I will be guided to it in the perfect way and time.  This makes life less frustrating to me, less fearful and into more of an epic grand adventure.  I can’t figure it out.  I get “tied” up in the “cursed how’s” depending on my ego to try to figure it all out.  I’m learning to let God take the lead and to trust.  “He knows bike secrets” better than I do and I’m learning to turn it all over to him and just keep on pedaling.

Change me God, into one who trusts you completely.  Everyday in so many ways I have big and small opportunities to trust.  I surrender my ego, my mind, my fear, my trying to figure it all out and simply turn it over to you knowing that you will guide me through it all.  Make me sensitive to your leading, not just in my mind, but through my heart and my spirit.  Help me always to remember that your plans are good, you are smiling on me and that everything will be more than OK when I trust in you.  I can relax and enjoy the view and enjoy my life.

P.S.

And if the bike above is a bit too tame, making you think the Christian life is for wimps, let’s ramp it up a little bit and go harder, still trusting nonetheless.