As a young boy, I saw God as my Observer, my Judge-keeping track of things I did to know whether I merited heaven or hell. He was out there-sort of like a President. I recognized His picture but I did not know Him personally.
Many years later, when I met Christ and truly accepted Him as my savior, I initially pictured my life as a bike ride. It was a tandem bike, and Christ was on the back seat helping me pedal. As my relationship with Jesus grew and strengthened, He suggested to me one day that we change places. Him steering the way and me following Him. I couldn't tell you exactly the day this happened but life has not been the same since. One thing is for certain. Christ makes life exciting.
When I had the control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. When He led, He knew delightful long cuts - up mountains and through rocky places and at breakneck speeds at times and at a slow crawl at others. It was all I could do to hang on some times! Even though it looked like madness from my human perspective, He said "Pedal!" I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and did not answer. It was then when I really started to trust.
I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I would say, "I am scared," He would lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people and gave me gifts to help me accomplish the work He had given me to do. Most of all He gave me the gifts of acceptance of others, joy and peace for the journey. He said, "Give the gifts away." So I did to people we met. And I found that in giving I received, and the burden was light.
At first, I did not trust Him to control my life. Before I learned to trust Him, I thought He would wreck it. But He knows how to make bikes bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And when I did slip up and crash, He was there to heal the scraps and bruises both on the outside and inside.
As I've grown older and learned not to ask quite so many questions - I've learned to be quiet and pedal in the strangest places. As I learned to trust Him more and more, I am beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face. And when I am sure I just cannot do any more, He just smiles and says, "Pedal!"
Have you heard God whisper to you lately "Just keep on Pedaling?" If not, listen a little closer because He is saying just that to you today. He's also probably adding "and don't worry, I know the way".
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