The Road of Life

The following came into my possesion via. a Father Jim, the priest of a friend's Mother in Texas. I was given it in the 1980's and it has never ceased to bless me as I so identify with what is written.

I would only add that although my Lord wants me to "pedal", it his Him who is pedalling through me, not a self-effort striving to get up that steep hill.

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 sort of a president, I recognized his picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him.

But 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 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 did not answer, and I started 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 gifts to take on my journey, my Lord’s and mine, and we were off again. He said, “Give the gifts away; they are 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 jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I am beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ. And when I am sure that I can’t do anymore, He just smiles and says…………..”Pedal”