Riding my bike has been one of my favorite things to do since I was little. I still remember the pride I felt when I bought my first bike. It had a banana seat and long handlebars and was a knock-off of the Schwinn Stingray (which was way out of my price range). A few years later I got my first bike with gears and handbrakes and thought I’d hit the big leagues.
My love of two-wheeled transportation continued into college when I got my first mountain bike. At the time, I was reading Tim Hansel’s book Holy Sweat and was delighted when I discovered this poem by an unknown author.
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.”
It’s a powerful illustration of trading places with Jesus to give Him control. Maybe, like me, you accepted Him to be your savior at one point on your journey, but weren’t quite ready for Him be Lord. Switching seats to let Him ride in front is both frightening and exhilarating. But almost thirty years later, the poem still resonates with me because I’ve lived what it describes. Giving Jesus the front seat as Lord of my life continues to be a daily choice that requires trust, humility, and obedience.
How about you? Are you riding solo or have you traded in your single bike for a tandem? Who sets the course for your journey each day? Who determines the speed and cadence of your ride? Trusting Jesus isn’t easy, but there’s no better way to live.
Need some reassurance of His faithfulness? Click on the link and soak in the truth of Pat Barrett’s song, “The Way.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOzsJlk8p6I