When God took the lead, things changed. He knew delightful long cuts – up mountains, and through rocky places, and often at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He kept telling me to pedal.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. -James 1:4
Living in the Kingdom is an invitation to a holy partnership with the Lord Jesus Christ himself, where together we navigate a life of adventure, challenge, and trust. Two verses that describe this partnership are:
Matthew 6:33
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
1 Corinthians 2:9
"However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him."
In this holy partnership, our responsibility is to seek the kingdom and trust the king. The king’s responsibility is to take care of us, providing adventure as we face life's challenges.
I grew up seeing God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, 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, had met him once at a rally, but did not really know him.
But later on, as I got to know Christ, it seemed as though life was like a bike ride; but it
was a tandem bike, and Christ was in the back helping me pedal.
I remember well the experience when He suggested we change places. I was part of a
group providing music at a conference on evangelism when I heard his call on my life to
vocational ministry. Not knowing all that was involved, I said “yes.” Life has not been the
same since. I now call it living the God-arranged life, which has many unexpected twists
and turns and paths I never ever considered. When I had control, I thought I knew
the way. It was safe, predictable, and the shortest distance between two points. Often I got myself in trouble along the way.
But when He took the lead, things changed. He knew delightful long cuts – up mountains, and through rocky places, and often at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He kept telling me to pedal.
Sometimes I worried, was anxious, and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer. I started to learn to trust. I forgot my normal self-arranged life and entered into the adventure with Him leading the way. When I’d say, "What is this? I have never been this way before.” He’d lean back, take my hand, and say, “Hold on.” Then immediately make another unexpected turn.
As I stop and reflect on the journey he has taken me, I remember his calling me to leave a comfortable pastorate and uproot my family and move to a city of 4 million to plant churches. When we failed at the first attempt, he simply said, “Stay.” So we did and continued to pedal.
When I had completed all the work for my doctoral dissertation except writing the final copy for submission to my advisor, I decided to bail because I had learned what I wanted to learn and did not want to take the time to write it. While at a Silence and Solitude Retreat, he spoke clearly and succinctly, “Go home and finish your dissertation for the work I have for you.” I obeyed. A year later, I discovered the “work” he had for me was to serve as dean of a seminary. Then the sharp turn of turns came when I was asked to serve as president of my alma mater. Who would have thought a farm boy from South Dakota who was forced to go to high school, would someday lead an educational institution.
None of these paths made sense to me, but his word was always the same. Keep pedaling. The holy partnership that was forged early in life continued to be lived out as together we peddled through the adventure of life. He took me to people with gifts I needed. Gifts of acceptance, love, and forgiveness. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey – our journey. He instructed me to give the gifts away because they were extra baggage and too much weight. So I did. I found in giving, I receive. Gratefulness, generosity, and graciousness are part of our journey.
He took me to places and gave me experiences I never imagined. Challenges and opportunities were beyond my ability to even comprehend. With each challenge, He somehow cleared the way and maneuvered the bike through all the obstacles providing views that were breathtaking and memorable experiences I cherish.
At first, I did not trust Him to have control of my life. But over time, I came to understand His
arrangement of my life was much better than my own arrangements. I discovered He
knows bike secrets. Knows how to make it bend, to take sharp corners, jump to clear
high rocks, and fly through scary passages. I am learning to pedal in the strangest and
most unexpected places. And I am enjoying the breeze on my face as I travel through life
with my constant companion and friend, Jesus.
Now, as I come to what seems a final chapter of my life and I am facing the challenges of age and health, and I’m unsure if I can go any further, He just smiles and says, “Pedal.”
