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. I gained love, peace, acceptance and joy; 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 it anymore, He just smiles and
says... "Pedal."
