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. 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."