Just Keep on Pedaling

Just Keep on Pedaling

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping a record 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 knew he was out there, but I didn’t really know him.

But later, when I recognized God, 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. God makes life exciting!

When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring and predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when he took the lead, he knew delightful long cuts … up mountains, 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. 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 I needed—the 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 to take control of my life at first. I thought he’d wreck it. But he knows bike secrets. He knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, 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 breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, my God.

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