Bicycling with Jesus

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 was rather like a bike ride...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 speed -- 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, 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^m 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."