“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:2, NIV)
Using the image of a shepherd lovingly tending his sheep, David paints a serene picture of God’s constant presence with us. Author Jennifer Rothschild likens this to riding a tandem bicycle with Jesus and asks, “Where are you sitting?” She describes several scenarios: 1) Riding in front and pedaling hard on your own strength 2) Riding in back “shouting directions to your Shepherd and calling it prayer” 3) Contentedly sitting in back, “safe with your Shepherd, knowing He is in total control.” (p. 52)
Rothschild points out that often we can’t rest peacefully beside quiet waters because we struggle with unbelief resulting from not fully trusting God. Perhaps you relate to that like I do. If so, you’ll find comfort in the story of Jesus and a father who wrestled with unbelief. He came to Jesus and asked Him to heal his son saying, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus replied: “’If you can’?…Everything is possible for one who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” (Mark 9:22-24, NIV)
I love the man’s honesty. Admitting his struggle with unbelief was the first step to receiving the help he needed from Jesus. And ultimately, the Lord did heal his son. Maybe we could learn from his example and approach God with complete honesty. If we revealed the pockets of unbelief in our lives that hindered us from trusting Him, perhaps we’d give the Lord new opportunities to reveal His power.
Jennifer Rothschild’s example reminded me of a favorite poem that I discovered at a pivotal time in my faith journey. It’s about riding a tandem bike with Jesus and learning to trust Him. As you read, consider who’s riding in the front seat in your life. How are you doing with admitting your unbelief to Jesus? How could you benefit from relinquishing control to Him?
The Road of Life
At first, I saw 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 really didn’t know Him.
But later on
when I met Christ,
it seemed as though life were 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
that He suggested we change places,
but life has not 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
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.
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 gifts to take on my 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 that 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,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to 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 Christ.
And when I’m sure I just can’t do anymore,
He just smiles and says…”Pedal.”
-Author Unknown
Although I asked Christ to be my Savior as a child, it wasn’t until I was 18 that I surrendered to Him as Lord. That’s when I allowed Him to take the front seat on our tandem bike and my adventure with Him truly began. Switching seats was both frightening and exhilarating. Even now, making Him Lord of my life continues to be a daily choice that requires trust, humility, and obedience. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
How about you? Who sets the course for your journey each day? Who determines the speed and cadence of your life? Trusting Jesus isn’t easy, but there’s no better way to live. Listen to “Way Maker” by Michael W. Smith and let it fill any pockets of unbelief in your life with powerful reminders of God’s character.
Poem quoted from Holy Sweat by Tim Hansel, Word Publishing, 1987, p. 51-53.
Jennifer Rotshchild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press 2018, p.52.