Pedal!

August 1, 2024

From Pastor Joseph Wamack

I had a friend who used to have a tandem bike-also known as “a bicycle built for two”. I had never been on one before I met her in 7th grade and since I did not go to her house again after high school; I have not been on one since. But what I remember about them is this: I did not like to be on the back seat of the bike. I only wanted to be in front where I could steer.

When I was in the back, I would be saying to any of my friends who would be steering, “watch out for that hole! Slow down-don’t you see that squirrel?!? Don’t turn so sharp, I’m gonna fall off! Mommy!” I guess I was a back seat driver-literally. No wonder I never let my wife drive now-I can’t stand not having that sense of control. (She tailgates big time-but don’t tell her I told you.) I know-I need some therapy-lots and lots of therapy. They have 12 step groups for people like me, you know.

That has always been a similar issue for me in trusting God. It is the “letting go” that is the issue. I can thank Him for food, I can thank Him for my family, but it is the control issue-the “letting go and letting God” that is difficult for me. What if the relationship with God could be likened to riding a tandem bike?

What if my life was like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and at first I would only let God on the back, helping me pedal but not giving direction. But what if He suggested we change places, and that I let Him sit on the front seat? Now that is an issue for me!

When I had control I knew the way. I felt comfortable, together, at peace with my routine existence. It was rather boring, but predictable. My “bike ride life” could be described as the shortest distance between two points. I got there-it wasn’t fancy, but there was not a lot of risk or room for failure. Just the way I like it.

But what if I took the chance, what if I trusted God enough to give Him my front seat on the tandem? That would go against everything I ever knew or held true to my heart. When God took the front seat and started charting our course, then all heck broke loose. He knew delightfully long paths up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on! Even when 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! "What’s going on with this Guy?" But I started to learn to trust.

It got to the point where I was learning to let go-little bits at a time. Trust doesn’t just happen at once. It grows. I started to forget my boring life (hey, did I just say “my boring life”? I resemble that remark!) and enter into the great adventure of “riding with God”. And when I'd say to Him, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand, trying to still my beating heart.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but I found out, He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, and knows how to get me through the dark, scary passages.

And I am 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 God as my delightful constant companion. And when I'm sure I just can't do it anymore, He just smiles and says, "Pedal!"

So pedal, my friends. No matter what comes your way, pedal. No matter how high or how low you go, pedal, don’t give up. Let God guide, steer and ride with him every day. I leave you with this Bible text: Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.