Jesus on a tandem bike

   This being my first official blog post I thought I might share something poignant and serious but then I quickly tossed that out. I need something light ;) So here goes... 

    My sis and I, both about 9 years old, thinking we were invincible, went speeding down a steep hill in our neighborhood. Flying down this awesome hill on our super awesome banana seat bike (if you are ancient like me you might remember these)... together. My sister was pilot and I was co-pilot. I have no idea what we were thinking! No bike helmets or knee pads. Any way...

   By this point in the story we were in the middle of the hill still filled with glee at the speed we were flying down the hill. About two seconds later, we started to realize we did not plan this well. Our front bike tire hit the gravel at the bottom of the hill on the sharp left turn we were supposed to take, and slid across the top of the gravel, skinning our knees and our legs taking the brunt of the sliding motion of the bike. Our knees and legs picked up as much gravel as possible. Needles to say that was the last time I ever rode one person bike tandem! We had scars on our legs and knees for quite a while and we learned the important lesson: never take on a hill like that with two people on a one person bike. 

   Though I'll never repeat that experience again, I love to ride a tandem bike with Jesus. My mom shared this analogy with me as a young woman and it has stayed with me ever since...

THE ROAD OF LIFE

By Tim Hansel

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 when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike and 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, and 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.

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, 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 – how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks and fly to shorten scary passages.

And I’m learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places. I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breezes on my face with my delightful constant companion, Christ.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do any more, He just smiles and says, “PEDAL!”.

    In closing...Christ really does know all the bike secrets, best short cuts and beautiful scenic vistas. He also knows and loves every single part of me and you through and through. He knows exactly how to hold and love all the sad, depressed, despised, lonely, anxious, rebellious, angry, judgemental, critical, self righteous, self loathing, controlling and codependent parts of all of us. He knows all the secrets that they hold and how to set them free. Ever since my parts and I joined the tandem bike with Jesus we have not looked back! What about you?? Do you trust Jesus to take the  front seat of your tandem bicycle?