Jesus' Sandal On The Pedal

This is one of my favorite pieces of writing. Certainly it's an appropriate one to include in this blog about Writing A Life, While Riding A Bike.  

The Road Of Life may have first been quoted in the 1987 book, Holy Sweat, by Tim Hansel.  I came across it a couple of years ago when I started our Christian cycling club, "Outspokin' For Jesus!" It's a wonderful parable about trust, faith, living a full abundant life, and having a truly personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Yeah, I'm usually a little teary-eyed by the time I finish reading it. Trust doesn't always come easy for me.

Everywhere I've seen it on the Internet, its posted with the author unknown . . . apparently he or she wants it that way. May have something to do with giving gifts away. Still and all, I'd love to meet him or her someday and go for a bike ride together, just as a way of saying thanks. Enjoy the ride . . . Enjoy the road.  

 

The Road of Life

(Author Unknown)

 

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 Jesus,
it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride.
But it was a tandem bike,
and I noticed that Jesus 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 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 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 didn’t trust him at first,
to control 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’m 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 anymore,
He just smiles and says ... "Pedal!"