This is the first time I have heard of tandem bikes. They are supposed to be bikes with two pedals for two people, with one in front leading the direction and one at the back pedaling with him.
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| Photo originally appeared at the New York Times blog, City Room, "Enjoying the Ride Without Seeing Where You're Going," October 22, 2010 |
A Parable
At first I saw Christ 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 the president, I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.
But later on, when I recognized His presence, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was He suggested we change places, but life hasn't been the same since. When I had control, 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 breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!"
I worried and was 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 the adventure. When I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people who had gifts I needed - gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, Christ'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 that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.
I didn't 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'm learning to be quiet 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.
And when I'm sure I just can't do it any more, He just smiles and says, "Pedal."
Isaiah 42:16
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them."
Dear Lord,
Even in times when I still don't know, times when I'm not sure if I have arrived, guide Me in the straight path, though unfamiliar. May I not swerve to the right or to the left but Choose Your Path as you lead Straight into Your Will and Your Way. Lead me not in my own detours but with a gentle peace, grant me the strength and assurance to keep pedaling, steady and sure. Open doors for me to wave at people I come along in my journey, and may people come to know the Master Biker who will lead them to their own adventure. May I leave a trail for them to receive from You.
May they also know how to start: It starts with an invitation from you to a real relationship, not directions and guidelines or a code of "pedaling" (as is for code of conduct), but a life-changing journey to follow You wherever, however, and no matter You lead.
For that is how You teach us to walk by faith, not by sight. And without faith, it is impossible to please You, for we will never go far and we can never begin our journey without faith. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through FAITH - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
In Christ's Name, I pray.
Amen.
Source:
Kerri MacDonald, "Enjoying the Ride Without Seeing Where You're Going," New York Times, October 22, 2010, accessed October 2, 2012, http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/enjoying-the-ride-without-seeing-where-youre-going/.
Ron Bennett and John Purvis, The Adventure of Discipling Others: Training in the Art of Disciplemaking (Colorado: NavPress, 2012), 93
And when I'm sure I just can't do it any more, He just smiles and says, "Pedal."
- Author Unknown
I guess it reminds me what I signed up for in times of really not knowing. This was the word of God for me in 2008 when I was just in my first year in the faith:
Isaiah 42:16
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them."
Dear Lord,
Even in times when I still don't know, times when I'm not sure if I have arrived, guide Me in the straight path, though unfamiliar. May I not swerve to the right or to the left but Choose Your Path as you lead Straight into Your Will and Your Way. Lead me not in my own detours but with a gentle peace, grant me the strength and assurance to keep pedaling, steady and sure. Open doors for me to wave at people I come along in my journey, and may people come to know the Master Biker who will lead them to their own adventure. May I leave a trail for them to receive from You.
May they also know how to start: It starts with an invitation from you to a real relationship, not directions and guidelines or a code of "pedaling" (as is for code of conduct), but a life-changing journey to follow You wherever, however, and no matter You lead.
For that is how You teach us to walk by faith, not by sight. And without faith, it is impossible to please You, for we will never go far and we can never begin our journey without faith. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through FAITH - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
In Christ's Name, I pray.
Amen.
Source:
Kerri MacDonald, "Enjoying the Ride Without Seeing Where You're Going," New York Times, October 22, 2010, accessed October 2, 2012, http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/enjoying-the-ride-without-seeing-where-youre-going/.
Ron Bennett and John Purvis, The Adventure of Discipling Others: Training in the Art of Disciplemaking (Colorado: NavPress, 2012), 93
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