Bicycling With God

"Although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are beside me." - Psalm 23:4

I once heard someone say that when struggles come our way, never ask "why me?" but ask, "Lord, for what?" God really does throw us for a loop hole sometimes and these are the moments when we have to keep "pedaling" as the following story describes:

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 the president. I recognized
his picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know him.

But later on when I recognized my higher power, it seemed as though
life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I
noticed that God 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... life with my higher power, that
is. God makes life exciting!

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 and at breakneck speeds, and all I could
do was 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 their gifts to take on my journey,
our journey, God'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, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary
passages.

And I am learning to be quiet 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, my higher power.

And when I'm sure I just can't do any more, he just smiles and says "Pedal."

Today's Prayer:
Lord, I really don't know where You're taking me sometimes. Sometimes I know You're guiding me, and other times I can't see You. No matter what, Lord, give me the strength to keep on pedaling. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.