Brian Jones

Years ago I stumbled across this little parable called “The Bike Ride.”  I’ve never been able to track down its author. Over the years, whenever I find my faith wavering or begin having trouble trusting where God is taking me, I always think of this story.

I thought it might encourage you today, so here it is…

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong so as to know whether or not I merited heaven or hell when I died.  He was out there so of as 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 that life was rather like a bike-ride, but it was a tandem bike ride.  And I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me to peddle.  I don’t know just how it was that he suggested that we change places (he in front and me in back), but life has never been the same since.

When I had control I knew the way. It was rather boring, but it was always 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, at break neck speeds. It was all that I could do to hang on, and even though it looked liked madness he would say, “Just peddle.”  I was worried and anxious so I asked, “Where are you taking me?”  He laughed and didn’t answer, and that’s when I learned that I was going to have to trust him.

I forgot my boring life and every adventure.  And when I’d say I was scared he’d lean back and just touch my hand.  He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy.  He gave me gifts to take on my journey, and off we were again, and he would say, “Give the gifts away; they’re extra baggage, too much weight.” 

And so I did to people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and the journey continued and our burden was light.  I did not trust him at first to take control of my life, I thought he’d wreck it, but he knew bike secrets.  He knew how to make those sharp turns, and how to jump to clear high rocks, and do things I could never have done if I were in control.

And I am learning to just be quiet in peddle in the strangest places.  I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze with my delightful companion. 

And when I’m not sure I can do it anymore, he smiles and says, “Just peddle my friend, just peddle…”