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.

Later on, when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was 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 it was the shortest distance between 2 points.  But when 
he took the lead, he knew delighful long-cuts, up mountains, through rocky 
places, at break-neck speeds.  And it was all I could do just to hang on.  
And even though it looked like madness, he would always say, “Pedal!”  I 
worried and was anxious and asked him, “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 an 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 when we were off 
again, he would say, “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 didn’t trust him at first, in control of my life, I thought he’d wreck it. 
  But he knows bike secrets.  He knows how to make it bend, to take sharp 
corners.  He knows how to jump, to clear high rocks.  He knows how to fly, 
to shorten scary passages.  And I’m learning to shut up and PEDAL.  In the 
strangest of places 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 that I can’t do any more, he just smiles and says, “Pedal!”

(*A tandem bike is one of those with more than one seat and pedals.)